Dog Gone It ALL !

"Really February sure was a mixed bag of Wintry Weather, with probably not too many people sorry to see it go."

This morning I was surely dragging my butt as much as it was dragged yesterday.   I still have yet to find my Mojo.  I am feeling very tired, not feeling like doing anything more then I have to.  How do I like feeling like this? I don't.

Before 8 am I texted my Niece, Joanne, to see if she was home today.  It just so happened she was off from her PSW course today and tomorrow.  I asked her if she would like to come up to see the puppies today.  It was decided she would be here by lunch.

I went through the motions of attending to the "gang", doing dishes, making the bed and a general tidy up.  I am always happy about having reserves from my Batch cooking as back up in the freezer for times like today.  I took out 2 containers of Big Batch Chicken Soup to heat up for our lunches.

Joanne arrived in a timely matter with someone, or should I say "some dog" going out of their head over heels to see her.  Really you can tell we do not get much company, however by the way Bandit behaves you would think we never have had anyone here in a million years.

"Bandit even allowed Joanne to "share" his chair.  Just a "little" bit."

Joanne flipped through her Smart Phone showing me all the photos of her Granddaughter, Deja at 18 months old, who just so happens to be my Great Great Niece.  I could not resist "sharing" one which was my most favourite .....

"Baby Girl and one of her doggies.  Really who says Pit Bulls are mean?"

Apparently Deja and the dogs pass out like this all the time together.  Way too cute I think.  Oh my I hope she doesn't read this post by her Great Great Auntie later in life or I might be in trouble ! but I think it will be her Mama as she gave me permission to do so.  It will all be on YOU Michelle !!!  Ha !

Once we had a Lunch of Big Batch Chicken Soup along with a Grilled Cheese sandwich we had ourselves a cuppa tea before going downtown Wiarton to do a bit of browsing in the stores.  Neither of us really bought anything.  I loved the new location of the local Quilt Store, and looking forward to taking my camera with me next time as there were some pretty awesome things to see in there.

We did go to the Dollarstore where I bought a couple of very lovely Vintage looking Easter tins for gift giving ideas, along with a couple other small items.  We dropped into the Foodland store before Joanne dropped me back home and headed home herself.

Puppies??? they got a few cuddles from me today.  I was so pleased yesterday with them, as they had been sleeping at one end of the whelping box and using the newspaper at the other end I had put down for them to soil on.  Today ....

"... I am thinking the paper training might not be going as good as it was Yesterday?"

Jeez they will be four weeks old this week.  I will be starting them on puppy food mush by the beginning of next week and giving them their first dose of worm medication.  In four more weeks  they will be going to their very first Vet visit, then on to their Forever Homes.  Wow the Puppy time flies !!!

It is now 6:45 pm.  At 6:32 pm I had received a phone call from Rob telling me that the song playing on the radio in the background was his favorite song.  This is the song he had been listening to ....

If that doesn't make a gal feel pretty good after being together over 18 years, I really do not know what  else would.  It fills my Heart with more Love and my eyes with tears of Happiness.  I am so happy I have a husband who loves me as much as I love him.  Life can be very good when it is filled to the brim with Love.

Really my husband can make me angry, hurt, cry, laugh and feel good about myself.  He is truly one of the bestest friends I could ever hope for in this Lifetime.  That makes my whole being *smile*.

Dog Gone it All, it has been another one of those days with a whole lot of "special" in it despite me not being yet to find my Mojo , "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

One Of Those Days

It is usually always "one of those days" when you don't sleep most of the night before, is it not?  This is exactly how it was for me this morning.  Mojo? what is that? something to drink?  cause I sure didn't have any of that either.

It doesn't help when the weather is so darn damp and wet.  Anyone with joint ailments or otherwise can testify how that plays havoc on the body.  When out at 6:30 am with the Aussie gang it was rainy and difficult to walk through two inches of wet snow that had accumulated, feeling like I had done a 2 mile marathon first thing.

We are not the only ones in Ontario receiving this wet damp snowy weather.  Accumulations up in the Ottawa Valley, Karen and Paula's way, has been apparently much worse then what we have had here, so I learned through Facebook.  I don't even have to leave my front door to get around to other part of the country.  Look at all that money I don't have I am getting to save !  Whoopee !!!

The "Crabby Cabbie" books had to be finished up today, so I tackled them, always striving to get the worse out of the way first.  Of course before anything was begun, our bed had to be made.  I finally got the books out of the way just before lunch time.

I was apparently not the only one today who was feeling a little beyond sleepy .... as there had been a whole bunch of sleeping going around within all different parts of the house today.

There is always a little brightness in a person's day when they get HAPPY MAIL.  My friend Toni with an "i" , had before Christmas pointed out to me a Mars Canada Inc. Promotion on Facebook.  We entered to qualify for a FREE pair of Mitts with the Canada Flag knitted into them. Alas there had been a glitch in the Instant Win Prize notifications and the mitts had all been spoken for.  Overlooking this error on the system, Mars Canada contacted everyone who did not qualify for the mitts to let them know they would ensure the integrity of the Promotion would be maintained by sending each and every entry product coupons valued at $7.50.

"I received 5 Coupons for Free Mars products today.  Way to go Mars Canada ! on handling a situation and still making people happy."

I am sorry to say Pedigree Canada did not step up to the plate as well as Mars Canada by any means.  After blogging about their decrease in quantity of dog food with prices not reflecting same HERE, I had posted the question to them on their Facebook page.  This is the response I received from them, along with everyone else's concern there about the same matter:

Hi Cindy, thanks for your message. We very much appreciate you taking the time to contact us about this. As you’re aware, the new PEDIGREE® Vitality +™ food for dogs is a top quality product made with only the best ingredients. We've seen a rise in cost for both the raw ingredients and transportation; something that’s been a challenge for most of the petfood industry this year.

In the face of such rising costs, we had 2 choices: keeping the bags the same size and raising the price significantly, or reducing the size of the bags so that the price can stay in the same range. Most consumers preferred the lower price as well as the convenience of having smaller bags to carry.

Thanks again for your feedback – it’s extremely important to us and it will be forwarded to our PEDIGREE® brand department for review.


Wasn't that a nice "copy & paste" way of dealing with a problem rather then on an individual basis for each complain posted to their page.  Smaller bags, with no lower price attached though !

I have used Pedigree Dog Foods for 25 years plus, always recommending it to anyone who had ever purchased a puppy from me.  This will be the case no longer, as I am on the search for a new brand of dog food that will satisfy my dogs requirements, as well as my budget.

Oh yes, they suggested I buy newspapers to see if there were coupons in there at any given time for their products.  Wow that would really be a further gain in the savings department for me after purchasing how many newspapers before I found a $1.00 off coupon?  Silly people.

Today I had decided I was going to try my hand at making Shepherd's Pie in the Slow Cooker since I had leftover gravey in the fridge to be used up.

"I first got started with the potatoes, carrots and onions needing peeled and boiled.  Then it went onto stirring the gravey into the browned beef and garlic, with the cooked veggies along with a pot of Knorr Beef Bouillon next, then the frozen peas that had been produced in our very own Vegetable Garden last Summer."

"With the meat mixture thoroughly mixed, heated, then put in the bottom of the Slow Cooker, it was time to mash the potatoes and milk to top everything off with."

"Two hours later it was steamy hot and plated to be enjoyed.  Enjoyed it was with me being pleased at my very first time making Shepherd's Pie in a Slow Cooker."

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

I am happy to say I received a lovely comment on my post of yesterday from my Secret Sister, Susan of The Food Allergy Chronicles.  I am delighted you were pleased with your Secret Sister Gift, Susan.  It really is fun surprising and giving to another, especially to a Secret Sister !

I absolutely know I am going to have myself an early night with high hopes of a full nights sleep ahead of me, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Happy Birthday Johnny

Today Johnny Cash would have celebrated his 81st Birthday, having been born this day in 1932.  Johnny Cash was one of my father, Fritz's favourite Country Artist back in his day.  I can remember my dad playing a train on the harmonica.  It really was something to hear my dad play that harmonica when I was a little girl.

"Last Year I paid tribute for a week to the Man in Black and my Father, Harold "Fritz" Edwin Masterson HERE.  My dad sure loved Johnny Cash, and I sure LOVED my Dad."

Photo from Facebook with no Credit Attached

I asked Rob what his favourite Johnny Cash song was and he said hiswas ...."One Piece At A Time".




Mine was "Sunday Morning Coming Down".  A Legend indeed was the "Man in Black", as was my Dad, "Fritz", to me.  I still, after 31 Years this June miss my Dad.

I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed and somewhat melancholy today.  It took me the longest time to get motivated, but finally I somehow managed.

At some point this morning a Purolater truck pulled in our lane way.  The box I had retrieved contained a brand new Panasonic set of phones to replace the Vtech set, not very old, that had been giving me grief by not charging properly on the main base, nor picking up phone messages properly.  We have a Phone & Wire Care Plan with Bell Canada, so the phone was sent to us by Bell "NO CHARGE", but really I pay for the "extra" every month, so in reality not really being "FREE" after all.

"I was happy to disconnect the Vtech and get the Panasonic from its box and charged up.  I actually had a Panasonic phone quite a while ago that lasted us for years; really it had been one of our more dependable phones."

I got going on the "Crabby Cabbie" books finally by the time late morning had come around, while Rob headed outside to get the soggy heavy snow cleaned up from our drive way.

"It took him a bit, but he got it cleared up with a couple of huge piles of snow made."

We have been forecasted a storm coming our way, so Rob wanted to get it cleaned up before another "dump" of snow goes on top of it.  I spoke to a friend who lives just outside of the Kitchener area who had told me they were getting freezing rain there already.  I DO NOT like freezing rain whatsoever !

This afternoon I had my appointment to have my neck x-ray done, so downtown Wiarton I headed to the Wiarton Grey Bruce Health Center for my 2 pm appointment.

The girl got me set up in front of the machine holding a 10 lb weight in each hand to weight my arms down.  I had a dizzy spell take over, along with numbness in each arm.  I had to take a seat for a bit before we carried on with the remainder of the x-rays.  The whole time I was thinking if anything was going to happen I couldn't have been in a better place for it to do so then at a Hospital.  Ha !

Once I was done at that appointment Rob took me around to Gateway Haven to drop off Mother's OHIP card to them.  I also went up to see Mom to take her Kleenex she had wanted in the full size boxes, rather then the little ones the home provides.  I also took the new Sear's Spring Catalogue so Mom could go through to pick out what colours she would like the new nighties I am going to order for her to be.

Off we headed downtown again as we had a 3:30 pm appointment with our Bank.

With a bit of time to put in before the appointment I went to the Pharmacy to get my new pain medications, then popped into a couple of stores to browse for a bit.  I was so happy to find the lady spoke to us ... thanks for doing so Linda !  It was really nice to meet a lady who is a member of Cindy's Recipe Exchange on Facebook, and who also reads my blog every day.  I can't wait until the knitting group Linda is hostess to in her Wiarton home starts up again, as I am looking forward to "check" it out when it does.

By the time our appointment was finished up with at the Bank, we never arrived back home until going on until 5 pm.  No thought put much into Dinner today, I fell back on something I always can rely on when "stuck" for what to have.

"Fried up "crisp" Bacon, Home fries, Whole Wheat Toast served up with a Cheese Omelette.  A meal that never fails to please our palates."

  Do you think with puppies around I would not have my daily fill of "puppy love" and "puppy smells" ?  of course not.  Check out Cuteness on the Move, HERE.

Okay I am tired, but warm being snug as a bug inside our home away from the North Easterly Winds outside our doors, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Mouthful Of Squeaky Clean

The weather had turned mild by the time this morning had rolled around.  Outside first thing the "crunch, crunch, crunch" was no longer underfoot, with it more of a sloshing sound with the feeling of being sucked in.

"Morning coffee was spent being coaxed to play by a certain Bandit boy."  Please, please and PLEASE !!!"

Nothing out of the ordinary went on this morning.  With a few daily household chores finished up, I went on to seal and address the "Secret Sister" gift, along with another greeting card I was mailing off.

Not "out of the ordinary" but still a very exciting event, is that we are pleased to announce the possibility of ....

"... a new upcoming "Checkerboard Aussie" litter !  First time parents will be our Missy Mercedes and Buddy.  We are hoping it has been a perfect "match"."

Should the match be good, I will be anxious to see what "colours" will come of it.  I had been getting pretty worried at one time that this wasn't going to be happening, but hopefully I can set that aside now with a good possibility of more  "Puppy Love" yet to come !

Rob drove me downtown Wiarton where we stopped at the Canadian Dollar Store to pickup some gift bags, the Post Office, the Drug Store, then a last stop at the Foodland.  A quick trip downtown sure can eat up most of a morning that is for sure !

Yesterday when in Owen Sound I had picked up a few goodies for the Puppy Bags I make up that goes along with each "Checkerboard Aussie" puppy to its new "Forever Home".

"The bags I had picked up this morning, and put together this afternoon.  Three pink and one blue.  Too cute."

I had a couple of phone calls to make before heading North of the Checkerboard to Lion's Head for my 3:00 pm appointment with my Dentist.  I LOVE going to see my Dentist, Dr. Pat Durino.  He is one out of two of the best dentists I have yet to have in my lifetime.  After I had my appointment with Dr. Pat today I had myself "a mouthful of squeaky clean" teeth.  I LOVE going to get my teeth cleaned, never mind how much I enjoy the visiting time with Dr. Pat either.

I didn't arrive back home until at least 4:30 pm.  Rob was such a sweet guy having vacuumed up the floors for me while I had been gone.  I had to get the potatoes and cauliflower prepared and cooking to go along with the rest of our Dinner I had cooking in the Slow Cooker from this morning at 11:30 am.

"There is nothing quite as simple to make this this Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken.  It was so very good along with a creamy sauce to spoon over top."

Recipe shared with In & Out of the Kitchen Linky Party & Love Bakes Good Cakes

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

I have to say since I had posted the photo of the two sized Pedigree Dog food bags and the price differences on Pedigree Canada's Facebook page yesterday there has been quite a bit of "action" in the way of comments.  The photos I posted can be found on my post of yesterday, HERE.

Somebody has to start "capping" some of these things, as I am scared to think where it is all going to end !!!

Honestly I am usually so frugal my husband and son have many times called me out and out "cheap".  I even felt a bit guilty on Rob and I spending $22.00 out on rare Chinese lunch out yesterday.  I am so frugal and thrifty most times, finding it a challenge to get ahead.  It is difficult to imagine how some other people are struggling to stay a float with rising costs.  Sorry I know I touched down on this yesterday, but it is starting to become a real "craw" in my throat.

Okay I have said my peace with rambling on again, hopefully for naught as sometimes it makes me feel better to do so, and I am certain that is one of the reasons I began this blog.  *Smile*.  On that note, I am off to do me up a sink full of awaiting dishes, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Quantities Down Prices Up

A certain girl had my attention very early this morning.  This girl being Lexus with her demands of wanting out immediately.  I hurried myself to get dressed, leaving behind a half finished coffee ... the trials and tribulations of being a Mama to four Australian Shepherd Dogs some days.

"Still bleak before 7 am, I was surprised at the amount of snow that had fallen again through the night.  I am certain there was another 3 inches on the ground."

After I had attended everyone's needs, along with their food requirements, I finished up finally getting back to my coffee.  Once Rob had gotten up, we had decided we would make a trip into Owen Sound as there were a few things I had wanted to pick up today that I could not purchase locally in Wiarton.

"Road Trip !  not without first stopping for a Large dbl cream and a triple triple, yes that is right a triple triple.  Really any ideas how I can "wean" my man from so much sugar, as I have even tried to "shame" him into it to no avail.  Check out the awesome new coffee cozies the sweet Virna at Craftmates handmade for my "Crabby Cabbie" and I.  And the height of those snowbanks along the highway!"

Shopping can be at its best exhausting some days.  First stop was Walmart, second stop over to the Dollarama, then the final stop was Bell World where we ducked in for a moment for me to look at a new "heavy duty" cell phone, the Sonim XP5520 BOLT PTT.  I have to admit after looking at the online specs for this phone, I have to agree with Rob that it does look pretty durable and attractive with a 3 year guarantee backing it.  Check it out yourself should you be looking for such a phone by *clicking* HERE.

It was going on to 1 pm by the time we had finished up with the shopping we had wanted to do.  Before we had left the house I had asked Rob if he would like me to make up some breakfast, which of course this never happened as he wanted to leave right then and there.  I was famished at this point.  Rob took us around to our favourite little Chinese Restaurant the Twin Dragon in Owen Sound for a buffet lunch.  It was very good especially at the price of $22.00 and change which included a $2.00 tip.

We had to buy dog food.  I can not begin to express at, once again, how disappointed I am with rising prices of everything but "incomes".

"Not sure what happened with Walmart's Roll Back the Price on this item, nor what is up with Pedigree with them having decreased the size of bag from 18kg down to 16kg.  Two months ago we paid $26.00 and change for a 18kg bag at Walmart, which is no longer available.  Today a 16kg bag cost $29.00 plus change.  That is a very huge difference, is it not???  Once again people "quantities have been decreased while prices have increased" !"

How anyone is suppose to cut any more out of their every day living with prices of everything constantly on the rise, is beyond my understanding.  There is going to be no room left for enjoying any part of life in the way of having an odd meal out, extra activities, and any hobbies, or much else for that matter.

When I was at Walmart I had some photos printed out, since I had bought a frame well before Christmas that I have been wanting to get filled.

"Four of my favourite photos of four of my favourite "Checkerboard Aussies".  I can not wait now to get it hung, but where I still am working out."

This afternoon I also finished up putting together my Secret Sister gift.

"I could not find a suitable box to mail it in  when out shopping today so a Christmas Box will have to do.  Just a little "peek" inside ... okay that is enough."

I am so excited about getting my Secret Sister package off into the mail tomorrow.

This is the third Secret Sister Swap I have participating in since Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily had created and began hosting them last Spring.  Thanks again, Carla, as you know how much I LOVE this swap ! Hugsssss.

At 4 pm my Lexus needed out, so away we went.

"Check out that sky over in the East.  Looked pretty unsettled to me, however  it had been very mild  today.  It almost looks as if Lexus was peering up at the sky as well, however her mind was more on the squirrel who is presently inhabiting our wood shed.  She is fixated on it, she is."

There is not a day goes by without me having myself some "puppy love" ....

"I had myself some love with the now squiggly balls of fur.  I can not believe what a heavy weight Bindi has become, nor how cute that little tongue of Spite's sticking out is.  Semah and Lunette? sleep sleep sleep !  Way too much cuteness."

Trust me I am enjoying every moment of their restricted mobility, as before you know it they will be four weeks old, next week already, with sharp little teeth and the beginning of the weaning process.

Another day has gone by in a *blink* of the eye so it seems, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Breakfast & Dinner Together !

Why does 4 am wake ups annoy me so much some days?  6 am I do not mind, but why does it have to happen at 4 or 5 am?  I really love getting all I can out of daytime hours, but by now, 6 pm, I am started to feel a little on the weary side.

"Not that the weather might have anything to do with getting a person down with more Snow and no Sunshine.  Snow is okay, but with Sunshine it makes it a whole lot better.  Really though it has been light fluffy Snow all day which makes for some very pretty scenery."

"This is a very rare occurrence around here in the mornings to see Rob and I ever sitting down to a breakfast together.  Never mind that, I can't remember the last time I had made oatmeal before this morning.  At one time we used to have oatmeal as a regular breakfast staple.  It was tasting pretty yummy this morning."

Every morning I update the "Crabby Cabbie" and "Checkerboard Aussies" Facebook pages.  This morning this is what my "Crabby Cabbie's" said.

"Call The "Crabby Cabbie". We would LOVE for YOU to be seen in public with US, even though we might seem a little Crazy happy at times."

Ha ! there are some pretty good funnies out there to put together a new status every day. 

Today I decided I would make myself my very own Facebook Page where I could post photos of what meals I cook here, along with their recipes, so I could have them all in one spot, rather then scattered here there and everywhere all over my laptop.  

This was done with it being named, Foods Simply Made at North of Wiarton.  I am "tickled pink" to have 6 Friends who have given my new page a "LIKE" already.  Thanks girls.  Should you want to drop in on my new Facebook page to give it a "LIKE" too, please do so by *clicking* HERE.  Thank you, as I really do appreciate the support and the follow.

Once I was done with Facebook status updates, I turned my attention to transferring my Week 8 ~ 52 Week Money Challenge money into its account.  I just found out last week that my Rob has been saving along with the rest of us since week one.  Wow double savings at the end of 52 weeks in our household, I sure hope we can pull it off with the both of us doing it!

"Since things are slow this time of Year for my "Crabby Cabbie" I have been sticking to the regular weekly challenge amounts, rather then going backwards or mixing them all up.  What ever works still gives the same end result of $1,378.0."

How is everyone else doing now we are into 2 months already ???  Toni, Judy, Stacey, Michelle, Diane, Ellen, Debby, Cathy, Jean, Karen, Elsie, Gill, Darlene, Vicki, Abby, Marg, Janet, Marlyn, Christy, Alice, Monica, Kathy, and now with Rob, making us 24 !  Debby has posted that even her daughter's have joined her in the challenge, along with a few of their friends.  This is such a doable challenge, is it not?

After lunch I was meeting up with my friend, Toni with an "i" for a coffee at the Hepworth Tim Hortons.  She had picked up a dehydrator for one of my Cousins for me that had been in Owen Sound.  Perfect opportunity to meet up for a get together over coffee.  I was going to clean off my Van and head down there, however Rob offered to run me down, so I had my very own personal driver to take me.

He was called out on a fare, so Toni and I had time for a bit of a visit to ourselves.  

Before we parted ways, Toni happened to look out the window to notice this pretty cool license plate I would love to have myself. 

"Too bad there isn't enough room on a license plate for me to have one made to say "I LOVE My Aussie Dogs"."

Once Rob had come back to collect me, with Toni and I having finished up our visit, we stopped downtown Wiarton so I could check out a couple of stores to see some items for my Secret Sister in the Swap Carla is hostessing over at My 1/2 Dozen Daily.

I really enjoyed going through a couple of stores with Rob today.  I like hanging out with him, something we do not get to do too often anymore together since he has been so busy being such a great "Crabby Cabbie".

Once we got back home I got going on fixing us Dinner using up the leftover roast beef from the Slow Cooker Dinner we had the day before.  Rob has never been too fussy in the past on Beef Stroganoff, but I thought I would give it one more try, since it has been a few years since I had done so.

"The ingredients are very simple to get it going."

"After everything had been mixed nicely and heated thoroughly, I put the Egg Noodles on to cook before adding 1/2 cup of Sour Cream to the mix."

"Creamy and favourable."

I had found the recipe for this Leftover Beef Stroganoff over at Food.com.

Recipe please?  just *click* HERE.

After this Dinner, it has been confirmed, once again, Rob does NOT like Beef Stroganoff, nor Sour Cream.  The End.

Really though I can not believe we had a Breakfast and Dinner together on a Saturday ... WOW !

PS... I love and so appreciate all the positive energy each and everyone sent my way yesterday, and every day, along with those who also send an odd prayer up for us.  xx  Anytime I can send anything back please do let me know.

With now looking up at the clock it is now just a bit after 7 pm.  I have another hour before the "gang" all goes out, about and back in for their last romp of the day, and I call it a night myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Beauty Of The Morning

Just before 7 am, when I walked back into the dining room towards the wood stove something caught my eye outside the window .... I found my camera, hurried to get into my jacket and I was out the door, as I did not want to miss ...

"... the Beauty of the Morning."

It took my breath away with its beauty.  Absolutely stunning it was.  It never last too long; how blessed was I to have been able to take it all in.  I pray it is a sign for better days ahead.

The "Checkerboard Aussies" all taken care of and the bed made, before I headed North of the Checkerboard to my weekly appointment with the Good Doctor Loney for the hour of 9 am.

My appointment this day went well being the allergy shot didn't hurt too much, and my blood pressure was down from last week.  Both very good in my books.  I am being sent for more x-rays on my neck.  For those who know me, know I suffer from Degenerative Disc Disease in my neck which 4 years ago was diagnosed with being Moderate to Severe, making for lots of pain and discomfort some days more then others, hence part of the reason for my headaches, the reason I do not knit or read rarely anymore  The neck pain is just one more thing that has slowed me down from life as I used to know it at 150 miles per hour, along with the Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Four years ago I had seen the Head  Orthopedic Surgeon at the Barrie Hospital.  After the consultation with him, with the MRI results of my neck removed, his personal examination and a discussion in length how and what I felt, his conclusion was I would no longer be able work at regular employment, suggesting I do not subject myself to repetitive activities, however also not recommending surgery as I was way too young and the outcome of  surgery could worsen my condition.

Dr. Loney has first ordered an x-ray before anything else, to see if this will show up anything to be worse then it was when I last had x-rays two years ago March 2nd after being in a car accident, wherein my vehicle flipped three or more times after hitting black ice.  I remember the attending Doctor at Emergency at that time asking me if I realized how bad my neck was, wherein I panicked thinking the accident had caused more damage to it ... a second x-ray at that time had been taken to make sure it had not.

I am pleased to say, Dr. Loney is pretty much "on top" of these things if there have been "red flags" put up.  My "red flags" have been that I have been experiencing absolutely no feeling from my neck down into both arms at times, since just before Christmas, to the point I have felt paralysed, sitting unable to move with a fearful feeling until it passed.  I feel very scared when this happens.

X-rays should be done next week, with it really not being too long until it is determined what the next "plan of action" will be from there on in.  In the meantime he has prescribed a different type of pain medication to see if this gives me more relief then what I have been taking.  I am confident it will be all sorted out in no time.

This is the reason why some days I get less done then other days ... oh for the days when I could do up our house and almost turn cartwheels at the same time.  Ha !

Truly though I am happy for what I do have more then naught,  which is countless blessings even though some days I get weighed down by other obstacles.

Really now, how could I feel down when the day began and touched me with such beauty?

The Chicken Stock I had made the other day needed packaged up and put into the, now working again, freezer.

On to the rest of my day ....

"I took a clean tea towel to strain sentiment and fat from the stock.  Look how rich and dark it is, as  I used a bright red onion along with the goodness of other vegetables when making the stock.  Seven containers there were for the freezer.  I can't wait until I need to make up a Homemade Chicken Soup to try it out... yummy."

"It was cold today but not overly for these two youngsters to be out romping together.  Buddy just turned two, and Missy Mercedes 18 months, it is good for them to play and wear themselves out with each other.  Trust me they both sleep very well at night, with not a peep from either of them."

I received mail this day from young Nathan Reynolds-Furry, who had been visiting last month from Yass, Australia.  Nathan does an article for the local newspaper, the Yass Tribune.

"Nathan was kind enough to mail me two articles he had wrote for the paper.  One was on corresponding with another as a Pen pal, touching on my relationship/contact with my friend, John Daley, who is now passed on from this World, and the other was based on his trip to Canada.  Very good Nathan, thank you for sharing with me."

For those who know me, know how much I love Easy Peasy as 1-2-3, with my Slow Cooker being one of my most favourite small appliances.  I first began my love relationship with my slow cooker when I had went back to College for a Computer for Business Course (at least 16 years ago now I would think), when homework was piled high and good meals needed to be easy and good.  The Slow cooker gave me both with a great meal all ready at the end of a long day.

"Dinner could not be made easier then this."

There is never a day I do not have myself some ....

" Puppy Love "

... for at least 5 more weeks !

I would love to welcome my newest follower, this being Kristen of About a Girl, who lives in Winnipeg, Canada.  I have already dropped over at Kristin's blog and know I am going to love following her too, as she loves to take pictures.  I do love picture taking as they tell such wonderful stories, do they not?  Thanks for the follow Kristin !!!

Oh my "Crabby Cabbie" Rob?  he is hard at work trying to chisel a living out of life for us.  I do love him dearly for that.  In-between he did manage to enjoy the wonderful Slow cooked Roast Beef dinner I had made for him.

I think that pretty sums up the day I have had myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Welcome To Facebook

I was up and at it in the wee hours of 5 am this morning.  Dishes done up, bed made and all my social networking done by at least 7 am.

Now the broken fan has been replaced in the Freezer yesterday by Rob, I thought today would be a great day to sort and transfer everything back in there.  It never happened.

The phone rang before 8 am.  My brother wondered if I could pick our Mother up to take to the Hairdressers for her hair colour, and he would pick her up.  I got myself dressed, took care of everyone, then was out the door just after 9 am, as her appointment was at 10.

I made a stop on my way at the Sears outlet to pick up a Spring catalogue, as I want to get some new nighties ordered for Mom, then I headed over to Gateway to collect her.  I had her dropped off and settled in at the Hairdresser right on time.

I thought I would take a little stroll downtown to see what my friend, Gayle, was up to as she had asked me over a week ago if I would take some photos of the store she manages, since they had just recently set up a Facebook Page for it.

Yes Gayle had been there, and yes, I took some photos for their Facebook Page ...

" Welcome to Facebook Wiarton Salvation Army Thrift Store ! "

The Wiarton Sally Ann does an Auction that is Theme based, I believe every month or so.  This Month's Theme is everything that has to do with "Music".  There is a book you can place your bid on each individual item(s).  The highest bidder on each individual item(s) is then contacted at the end of the Auction.  It really is fun, with myself having participated a few times.

Lots of pretty neat items are available for this Music themed auction:

"These are only a few of the items up for Auction that I was able to capture with my camera."

 

 

You can keep up with future Auctions and special at the Wiarton Salvation Army Thrift Store by going into your Facebook Account and giving their Page a really big LIKE,  just a *click* away HERE.

Now do not forget it is a very new Facebook page, and new to everyone, even to its administrator, so be patient as it will be looking "top notch" before you know it, so just give it a bit of time.  In the meantime drop on in at the Wiarton Salvation Army Thrift Store on Bedford Street (Main Street) and get your bids placed in the book for some of the neat musical things they have now displayed in their window.

I was tickled pink though as I did splurge a bit on myself by buying "me" a couple of Vintage items today.

"I love Oil Lamps.  Look at this cool old one I snagged.  Then there was this little Vintage Easter Basket with the two cute little Salt & Pepper Bunnies inside.  I though they would make a perfect gift for someone, don't you think they would?"

By the time I had returned home it was about the lunch hour.  My plans never were accomplished today, but this is okay as I really wasn't feeling up to doing anything much anyhow as yesterday first thing in the morning my feet had went out from under me on the ice and I landed straight down on my backside.  My back has been killing me all day, never mind that I am feeling a little "under the once a month" weather to top it all of !  Tomorrow is another new day ....

What I did get done was to arrange some advertising and PR for my "Crabby Cabbie" and set up some other things for him.  Really this was a bit time consuming so it wasn't like I never accomplished anything, I just never got the freezer put back together this day, nor any much needed housework done either.

I am really pleased that the "Crabby Cabbie" Facebook page is growing with 86 people giving it a great big LIKE by following him, as well as our "Checkerboard Aussie" Facebook page having already climbed up to 78 followers.

We would appreciate any and all support from Saugeen Shores, Southampton, Port Elgin and area, for the "Crabby Cabbie".  Also support shown for the love of the Australian Shepherd Dog towards our "Checkerboard Aussies".  Thank you to all, and anytime I can show support on your Facebook page or otherwise, please drop me a line to let me know.


It never fails how badly I might feel in a day, there is always one or another of my "Checkerboard Aussies" to put a smile on my face.

"My Bandit never lets me down with one of his famous *smiles*, or two, or three, even more continuously some days."

This is an earlier post then usual.  I am going to take out all the "gang", then hopefully soak my back in a hot tub (once the Hydro Rates go down at 7 pm).  Relax a bit before taking the "gang" out and about for one more last time, then call it an early night for myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

My Crabby Cabbie & the VON Piggy

Old Man Winter has not left the building; at least not in Southwestern Ontario.  Yesterday afternoon he raged, still continuing on this morning with Schools cancelled and road closed.

"6:00 am and the "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle was put to yet another test, however never making it out the end of the lane way on down the road.  Someone (mentioning no names here, was apparently trying to put the cart before the horse), had to walk way back down to the drive shed to retrieve the Leyland Tractor to the rescue."

I, on the other hand, after taking these photos through the window, by remaining snug as a bug in the house until at least 7:00 am before our Aussie gang required out, about and in.  Before that routine was taken care of I had done up the dishes and made our bed all before 6:30 am..

What was I going to do today I had wondered?  I looked up towards the top of the Display cabinet and decided today was the day everything from a top of it was going to be moved, washed and put back nice and dust free.  There is always dust & more dust everywhere I look each day, as when you heat by means of a wood stove this is the way it goes, giving more dust then naught.

"Really photos do not do dust justice at times, but really the photo to the left had dust galore on those there Oil Lamps, but were completely dust free and sparkly by the time the photo to the right had been taken.  Honest !"

"I had some good memories pulling at my Heart strings wen I dusted these photos of my Dog of 13 years.  These are of Bo Von Guard.  The photo to the left with the pup curled up was when he was 13 years old, and to the right when he was in his prime of 125 lbs at 2 years old.  He was one of the best dogs I have ever had in my lifetime.  Bandit has ran a close second, but never has made first past our Boggie dog."

Rob had called me late morning to tell me he would be home around the lunch hour.  We wanted to stop out at a printers to get some pricing, then head on over to Owen Sound to pickup a few things as well as stop in to see Angela Campbell at the Grey-Bruce VON offices.  Angela headed up the VON Pennies for the Piggy project, and had requested all who were involved if they could drop off their VON Piggy along with what had been collected by the 28th of this month.

"Here is my dear "Crabby Cabbie" Rob carrying all those heavy pennies in to pass over to Angela."

Rob has asked if he could keep the VON Piggies in his "Crabby Cabbie" vehicles to raise more money for the Grey-Bruce VON (a non-profit organization) so he could continue to partner with the VON Piggy on a regular basis.  It was decided and the VON Piggy and Crabby Cabbie are to remain partnered !  Rob is very please to be able to contribute to an organization such as the VON who is always giving back to its communities.  

I am certain it will be a successful partnership for both my "Crabby Cabbie" and the VON Piggy, as it has been in the past few months.

Angela sent me an email before we had arrived home.  She had counted up the money we had rolled, along with the loose change to let us know the "Crabby Cabbie's" patrons had contributed $127.90 to Grey Bruce VON.  Way to go "Crabby Cabbie" customers !  Thank you so much for all your wonderful support !!! as does the Grey Bruce VON !

How could I forget, as I almost did, that I was down in the basement today having myself some "Checkerboard Aussies" Fabulous Four Puppy time.  Well I must admit I do have me a bit of "puppy time" every day, as I absolutely can not help myself, could you?

"I couldn't help but notice how much sweet little "Sprite" resembles her Mother Lexus.  What a sweet little doll she is, oh yes the pup is too ... *smile*."

There was lots more Fabulous Four "puppy love" going on this day.  Just see for yourself by *clicking* HERE.

After that day, along with shopping at Staples, Giant Tiger and No Frills, coming home to put groceries away, I was happy to heat up a bowl of Homemade Big Batch Chicken Soup for our Dinner, with a Gala Apple for dessert.

The fan part came in for our Freezer today !  Rob has replaced it and we will transfer everything back into it tomorrow.  That is one way of cleaning and organizing a freezer, regardless of how unpleasant.  Now I look forward to our new Range oven's arrival, but that won't be happening until the first week in March.

I am off to stoke the wood stove, as I am feeling it is getting a little too cool in here at the moment.  I sure do not like feeling too cold, loving the warmth our wood stove gives us, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".