A Good Chuckle

This week is National Non-Smoking Week.  To all out there who have "kicked" the habit, a huge CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

I quit smoking 7 years ago on the 24rd of April.  Rob quit a year ago.  I am thankful we both quit as it is not easy being a quitter (you would not know this my dear friend, Brenda, as you are NOT a quitter....hahahaha).

More on this by *clicking* HERE.

My Auntie send me a funny email today, so here I thought I would share the laugh with everyone else....

65 Years Ago. This is PRICELESS .............

A little old lady from Wisconsin had worked in and around her family dairy farms since she was old enough to walk, with hours of hard work and little compensation.

When canned Carnation Milk became available in grocery stores in the 1940s, she read an advertisement offering $5,000 for the best slogan.

The producers wanted a rhyme beginning with 'Carnation Milk is best of all.'

She thought to herself, I know everything there is to know about milk and dairy farms. I can do this! She sent in her entry, and several weeks later, a black car pulled up in front of her house.

A large man got out, knocked on her door and said, "Ma'am, The president of Carnation milk absolutely LOVED Your entry.....So much, in fact, that we are here to award you $1,000 even though we will not be able to use it for our advertisements!"

He did, however, have one printed up to hang on his office Wall.

(Here it is:)

I needed a good chuckle today .... thanks Auntie Gladys.

I made an awesome Shepherd's Pie from Moose Meat for our dinner this evening.  It was something I had not made in awhile, and it had been very much enjoyed by both Rob and myself.

I must be feeling better, as I did up all the dishes after dinner, and I even forced myself to take Portia out for a walk around downtown today.  It had been a pretty good day in the right direction of healing.  This makes me very happy.

Don't forget for some cute photos from time to time check out The Checkerboard Aussies on Facebook by *clicking* HERE.  Did I mention we will be expecting puppies on or about the 9th of March? of course I did *smile*.

For this day, this is all she wrote, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

What To Say?

Yes some days, believe it or not, I find it difficult to find what to say?  I am pretty certain if I would say this to Rob he would be like, "when do you ever not have anything to say".

My story is I am Bipolar, and it has nothing to do with being one of the Masterson traits ! that is that.

I must be feeling somewhat better as my sense of humour, no matter how warped it might be at times, has begun to surface here and there once again.  Watch out !

Winter apparently didn't get the message it was to arrive by December 21st, as it has been fashionably late this Season.  Not only did we get dumped on within a matter of a couple of days, the temps have plummeted well below the freezing mark as well.  The winds have somewhat of a cutting edge to them, or so I have found when out walking the past couple of days.

Yesterday my brother, Allan, and I, took our Mother to see the "specialist" about her cataracts. Medicine is amazing when you think about how many people just used to go blind in days long past to lazer technology where cataracts are removed.  Nothing short of a miracle I would think.... you ?

Whenever we take Mom out it is pretty much a whole day.  We picked her up about 11 am to return her around the hour of 3 pm.  After her 12:20 appt, which ran well over an hour, we had to stop for some lunch before heading back home.  All three of us had been hungry, to the point I caught Mom looking at her watch well knowing it had indicated well past the lunch hour.  MacDonald's made an easy stop for us to go in for a bite of lunch before we did head back home.

Even though the day had almost been spent, I managed a quick brisk walk with my friend, Sharon, late in the afternoon.  We might not have gone miles, however we did get out.

What have I done today? pretty much nothing other then attend my counselling appt. this morning to come back home to do up dishes, as well as finish up some year end paperwork.  Not certain yet if I will get out for a walk or not today.  What I do know is I have a Chamber meeting this evening which is a definite outing I will be attending.

I haven't had much time, or taken any time, to take many photos with my new camera since I had gotten it.  I am hoping once the weather gets warmer I will be more inclined to do so.  I definitely hope to be using it once Portia has her litter of pups on or about the 9th of March this Year.  I am hoping I will also be in a better frame of mind then her last litter, so to enjoy them more so.

Puppies are fun, however still much work as well.

My Rob is fast approaching the 60th year of his life, then will be heading into his 61st year come January 31st.  I gave him two choices of where we are to go for a Birthday Dinner.  Since we have not yet tried, he has chosen Andres Swiss Country Dining in Port Elgin where they are famous for their Schnitzel.  More about Andres by *clicking* HERE.

Maybe if Rob and I really really love Andres we will go back to dine on my Birthday on the 18th of March? we will see, as time will tell.

Oh good news !  the new prescription has been helping me sleep !  It has been quite heavenly to have gone years of going on 2 hours sleep per night to almost 8 full hours now.  Once again, something else just short of a miracle I am certain.

Should someone not know what it is like to function on no or little sleep, let me tell you it is not a nice place to be, this I can personally testify to (as I now sit here with a very large yawn or two).  I am hoping with more sleep under my belt the remainder of the depression will lift, sooner then later, so I can regain some much needed energy.  Prayers for energy are foremost and center, with weight loss running a very close second.  Hopefully it will all work together if it should ever come to this.

Before I forget, how has everyone got started on this Year's 52 Week Money Challenge? this week will be the 4th Friday of the Year.  I started working backwards again, so will be depositing $49. this Friday.  Happy Challenge ! and please share what you did with your challenge money from 2015.  I have saved mine for my PEI trip this Summer.

Well, "what to say?", I am pretty certain I have said quite enough for this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Downpayments & Savings

Yes this was exactly what Rob & I had been thinking as we did a quick shop in our local Foodland Store yesterday.  Rob mentioned he should check the price when he was over in Owen Sound next, I told him not to bother as $7.00 per head of cauliflower is the going rate this Season..... can you believe we would ever see the day of these prices for veggies? or anything else for that matter.

The bonus this Winter? gas prices have stayed down .... "touch wood".

I was in need of a double boiler.  Rankin had one for $59.00 of very good quality, however I could not justify adding another pot to my already "overstuffed" pot and pan cupboard at that price.  This morning I checked with the Wiarton Home Building Centre and found an insert for $21.99.  They called me back to tell me they had one in stock and they were on sale for $4.99 this week !  I didn't even hesitate to take them up on that deal of the week ....

.... oh yes a photo of not only my great deal of the $4.99 double boiler insert, also a photo of the yummy chili I made from Moose meat yesterday.  

It seems like the last few days we have had a whole Winter's worth of snow dumped on us.  Of course our tractor has not been working just when we need it the most.

The Small Engine shop downtown at Pinkerton's Carquest had a used walk behind snow blower for sale used.  They brought it out for Rob to try, against my better judgement.  If anyone should have any idea how large of area our horseshoe lane way and parking area is, you will also know we are not keeping the walk behind snow blower, and our tractor will be going in for repairs on Monday.  In the meantime we have a neighbour who we have hired to keep our lane way cleaned out until we get our tractor back.

Rob's back and hips were not going to be able to do this even on one of his "best" days.  Regardless there is a really good deal on a Snowblower downtown Wiarton at Pinkerton's Carquest.

My girlfriend, Sharon, called me from Florida today !!!  they are having cool weather down there too, but only in their 50's , not quite as cold as here yet.  We had a nice chat.

I had told Sharon I have been wearing out on my walks the cowl she made for me two years ago.  I LOVE it, and thanks again Sharon !!!

I most certainly appreciate when anyone does anything  for me, or gives me something.  I am flattered that I am cared enough about that someone is thoughtful enough to have me in their thoughts, so I could never imagine not be grateful.

I was doing some more reading up on my enemy "depression" and "bipolar".  I need to lighten up on myself somewhat as for the length of time I have been sick over the past couple of years my body has suffered in not only weight gain by the medications, but also by loosing muscle mass as well since I have not been so active for many of these past months.  I have to realize it will take time for me to regain energy levels I had once, being careful I do not become "sick" again in a bipolar "high", but hopefully to retain a somewhat "norm" state.

Yes at times I am my own worse enemy, but the more I have been educating myself on Bipolar Disorder the more I am being aware of what is what with myself.  You can not educate yourself enough is my opinion.

With more Mental Awareness out in the open now a days, thanks to organizations like "Bell Let's Talk", there is no reason for ignorance any longer.  Check out how you can you be a part of it every day and on the 27th of January by going HERE.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Today I managed to do 1/2 mile walk with Leslie Sansone, and another walk with my other friend, Sharon.  So far I have walked 5923 steps (4 km) today !  My long term goal will be 10,000 steps a day once I get myself built to do that on a daily basis.

It has been this kind of day for some of us this day .....

..... Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Three More Years To Go ....

My friend posted on her Facebook page the following ....

I still have three more years to go, however my Rob is going to be a "Seenager" this month on the 31st.  Hahaha ... thanks for sharing Sharon !

Has anyone heard of Bell's "Let's Talk"?  Bell canvases once a Year to educate people about Mental Illness.  Discover 5 simple ways to help end the stigma about mental illness by *clicking* HERE to read more.

Educating ones self is the way to "snap" on it !  Support "ending the stigma" attached to mental illness today !!

I can honestly say, as one who has Bipolar 2 disorder, that "mental illness" is no picnic with lots of compassion and understanding from others holding its weight in gold towards one who suffers from a mental illness.

There is a young girl who I have know for a couple of years, who also suffers from mental illness, if I would have given up on her we wouldn't be friends today.  Accepting and supporting can go a long way with some ....

I am almost ready to give in to all this weight I have gained from medications. It is pretty overwhelming to have gained 60 lbs in the past two years, never mind trying to think about how I am going to loose it.  I have been fixated about the weight I have gained.  It gets me down.

Thank goodness I have a friend who I can get out and walk with almost every day.  I might not be loosing any weight, however I am trying to stay "fit & healthy", and that just has to count for something.  I am hoping by this Summer I can begin loosing some of the weight I have gained.

I am seriously thinking about not going to my family reunion this Year, as the one last Year I had a cousin bring about my weight gain.  I am not certain I want to attend if I haven't lost any weight by then.  Time will tell.

Usually if a person had never had a weight problem it would be safe to assume there must be issues if there has been a noticeable weight gain whether it be stress or medications (in my case both).  I hope I am kind enough towards others to see this myself.  I would hate to ever intentionally hurt someones feelings, and surely would not go out of my way to if I could help myself.

Kindness goes a long way, does it not?

My thoughts for the day.  This is all she wrote, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

More Experimenting

Like anything else which is "new to me", the new camera Rob got me for Christmas is no different.  I have been a little anxious and nervous getting used to it and all of its "modes" along with the 2 lenses.

Yes I have been doing some more experimenting ....

.... alas poor unsuspecting Portia and Rob have been my subjects.  I might not be alive to tell the story now I have posted Rob's "bad hair" morning.

On another note, yesterday I was "tickled" pink to learn we could watch YouTube videos on our Samsung SMART TV (thanks Shannon), and today I was even happier to receive the book I had ordered a month ago from amazon.ca ....

Yes exercising, once again, with my old friend, Leslie Sansone, is on my "to do" list, as well as reading The Everything Health Guide to Adult Bipolar Disorder.  It is always best to learn as much as one can about one's own body, is it not?  I had also researched in length about Fibromyalgia when I first learned I had also had it.  Educating one's self is the way to go about such things, or so is my thoughts.

My friend, Sharon & I, have been out pretty much every day for a walk (weather permitting). Today wasn't an exception, other then my leg was bothering me so we cut our usual 5,000 steps down to about 3,000 steps.  At least we got out, and regardless that is the main thing to do.

I am also pleased with myself that I got the kitchen floor washed today.  To someone else this might not seem like much, however to me it was a "big" deal, especially since I can't recall when was the last time I had washed it.  Little improvements to my moods have begun to shine through.  This is good as it means the new medication, Latuda, is beginning to work.  There really is a GOD, this I know !!!

After suffering, unknowingly, with Bipolar most of my life that I can remember, it is a relief to finally be helped and finding relief in something that is working, after struggling for well over two years in a lengthy depression.  Yes I can say I am somewhat "relieved", would you not be as well?

I am still pretty overwhelmed at everything in and around our house that needs doing, however it did not get this way overnight, and I am not going to be able to get it all back the way it should be overnight either. I need to pull myself in and realize it will happen when it happens and if it doesn't so be it.

I am also pleased to announce we will be expecting a new litter of puppies on or about the 9th of March.  I am hoping my meds have got me fully energized this litter as I was unable to enjoy the last litters to the best of my being.  Yes, Bandit is going to be a father, once again, with Portia being the Mama.  Let's hope she has more then one puppy this time around, but only what she is able to handle to be a good Mama is what is foremost important.

The forecast is calling for rain coming up by Friday, so I am thinking if our walking time gets squashed that I might have to get going on "walk at home" with Leslie Sansone sooner then I had anticipated.  Now I have a SMART TV I can  do this, as I had already mentioned.

Not much more news to tell here, so this is all she wrote this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

PS DON'T FORGET IF NOBODY HEARS FROM ME THAT ROB MIGHT HAVE BANNED ME FROM MY CAMERA & LAPTOP !!!!  hehehehehe .......

Family Christmas Weekend

It has been a busy family Christmas weekend at our house since our gang arrived yesterday afternoon.....

Yesterday we had our Christmas ..... everyone had lots of fun opening their gifts.  I not only got an amazing sign from the Grandkids, I also got a memory box with lots of happy photos and notes from all them too !  *special* memories indeed.

Today we all headed over to Owen Sound to exchange a couple of items.

A full day once we came back from Owen Sound we had headed to the Hill in Wiarton for some sledding on the Crazy Carpets Poppa had picked up for everyone this morning.

Today ended with a dinner of slow cooked Back Ribs smothered in our favourite Chipolte BBQ sauce from Miner's Maple Products.

Anyone could well imagine how tired we all are here, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Happy New Year !

New Years Eve is always a busy time for my Crabby Cabbie husband, Rob.  I was in bed early and back up from 12:25 am on for the rest of last night.

I am pretty excited as our son Paul, along with his wife, Liz, and 5 of our grandchildren will be arriving today for our Christmas !!!!

In the meantime ......

.... from Rob, the Aussies, Leo & I here, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.