Not Too Much

Today really was not too much of anything.  I pretty much spent most of the morning cleaning the tiles around the bathtub and the bathtub itself.  Something that used to take me half the time, seemed like it took most of the morning.

I was really in "slow mow" today but I got 'r done.  That, the bed made and tons of cleaning up after puppies!  I have to go down about 6 times a day or so just for the puppies, never mind taking the rest of the "gang" out, about and in all day long.

Now the Fabulous Four have gotten much bigger they need out more often for exercise and water.  With the weather being as cool as it has been the past few weeks there was no way they were going out into the outside kennel run, in turn less clean-up, or I should say "easier" clean-up.

"I am certain these pictures were taken after I had cleaned them out for about the 5th time today. So innocent looking here, are they not?"

Not so innocent when you see them HERE.

Having grown up in Southampton, I am pretty excited since last night when I set up a G.C. Huston Public School get together for any of us who attended in the 60's there in and about.  Last year a friend was coming to visit her Sister, and we hadn't all been together for awhile so we extended the invitation.  It was a week day so not too many came out, but we did have ourselves some fun ....

"Here were all were at Southampton's Walkerhouse.  Seven us wasn't too bad for a start."

I had been asked to organize another get together for 2013, so this has been done with hopefully more being able to show up on the Saturday.

"A nice and easy start by creating an Event on Facebook, then extending invites to every Southampton Friend on my Facebook contact list, with it hopefully snowballing from there."

Facebook is an amazing Social Tool.  I found a girl today, thanks to Sheree another Southampton friend, who I hadn't seen in at least 36 years, who had been with me in Grade 7.  Wowsers that was fun to make contact !  She is not too far herself from Southampton so hopefully she will be able to make the date.

Here it is after 7 pm already, with our Dinner over with but puppies needing cleaned out again for the last time today.  Then there is the matter of the rest of the "gang" to be attended to before I even think about calling it a night here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Sunny Day With A Saddened Mood

"The early morning was bitter cold, but there was a promise in the Eastern Skies of a beautiful day ahead."

"Our driveway no longer filled in, with the Highway clear, bare and wet.  Great driving conditions this day."

I was feeling a bit "off" this morning when I got up, however I still went through the motions.  Regardless of how I might feel on any given day our "Checkerboard Aussies" still have their needs to be looked after regardless if nothing else gets done.  I threw in a load of laundry, did up a few stray dishes in the sink, and made an attempt at sweeping up the floors.

Rob got up around 10 am to start his day.  Just before he had gotten up I had received a phone call that ended up with a very unpleasant interaction which unfortunately "set the mood" for my day ahead.  I am not a person who is able to just "let things go" easily.  I always try my best, with the interests of who I care for put first most times, unfortunately not everyone always thinks the same as we do ourselves at times.  I believe communication is always the best, but some of us are unable to communicate without outbursts ensuing, or cruel words being thrown.  This is unfortunate, never mind how very unpleasant for all parties concerned.

Strange that this came across my path of reading today.....

Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future for too long. Right now is life. Live it

... this is something I need to do, as really I do know how short and precious Life is.  

However as easy as it does sound, it really isn't always easy to practice as many of us know.  My day I felt was lost to me, as there are times upset seems to consume my being.  However I was grateful for the silver lining that wove itself throughout part of my day ....

"The couple who had set up an appointment to see the last puppy, had came today and claimed themselves to be the Forever Home for our littlest Red Tri female "Checkerboard Aussie" puppy.  Not only have they all been spoken for by Forever Homes, they now all have been named on this 7th Day since being born."

"This Memory was written down and put in my "Memories With Love" jar that will be opened next January 1st, 2014.  Has anyone else made themselves a "memory jar" this Year?  I do not put one in every day, but I am certain by the time it gets opened next Year there should be lots of wonderful memories to read."

This day the Sun had come out in full force.  Regardless of anything else I had plans to get done, that never got off the ground, at least my "Checkerboard Aussies" and I all had some fun time out in the Sunshine with a bit of ball throwing.

For me this day had been a sunny day with a saddened mood, but really every day in Life can't always be Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows, as much as we would like them to be ....

... at least I do know I am in Love with my best friend who is my husband, Rob.  This I would never change for anyone in this World, even though there has been times others have tried for us to part.  What I have learned in this Life, nothing does come between True Love, however mushy that might sound to some, I have found it to be true to my Heart.

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

More Wiarton Willie Fun

Thank you for all the well wishes on my migraine getting better.  Headaches and migraines are something I have lived with all of my life.  With my neck issues I really do not think I will ever be without them.  There are worse problems in this World, so some of these things some of us learn to live with.

Lots more went on with the boys and I yesterday at the Wiarton Willie Festivities.  The Wiarton Optimist Club put on a Fun Day for Children from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  What a wonderful gesture on behalf of the Club and those businesses who sponsored this event for the Children.  A very BIG Thank you !!!

After all the fun on the big "snowbank" we headed on inside of the Big Tent.

"First off the boys entered into a draw to "guess" how many jellybeans were in the jar, and got themselves each a bag to collect goodies along the way."

"Here we are with Karen of Karen't Creations Scrapbooking in Wiarton, who was taking family photos as her part of giving back to the Community.  Thanks Karen, we love the photo."

"This is where it all began "putting them to work", and what fun they had with a hammer and nails."

"Much warmer fishing in under the Big Tent, and the prizes were not one big slimy."

"Indoor golfing also is the way to go ... put put put."

"The Bruce County Library Team was there from the Wiarton Library.  What fun there was first by making pictures, then some pretty awesome bookmarks."

"Hey there is Stu Paterson !  Stu won the 2012 Salmon Spectacular with the largest Trout entry.  Here they are with Handmade Bird Feeders they were handing out to families along with a bag of bird feed."

Pic 1 – Former Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters President - Sydenham Sportsmen`s Association member John Ford, 
hands over one of 120 feeders at Wiarton Willie Festival Kids Day.

Pic 2 – Bruce Peninsula Sportsemen`s Association member Jim McKane hands out another feeder during Kids Day at the 2013 Wiarton Willie Festival.

~ Photos Courtesy of Stu Paterson ~

Guest Post Courtesy of Stu Paterson:

One-hundred-twenty Grey Bruce youngsters have new bird

feeders thanks to a co-operative effort by two regional conservation clubs.

Volunteers from the Sydenham and Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen’s Associations

handed out the feeders at the Kids Day Party in the Big Tent, at the 2013 Wiarton Willie Festival.

Children 12 and under were happy to receive the feeders which were built by club members.

Included were 2-pound black oiled sunflower seed packs donated by Doug Gilkinson and staff at Bayshore Country Feeds in Owen Sound.

The feeder project is designed to encourage young people to learn about, respect and appreciate, nature and conservation. The giveaway included pamphlets on several Birds common to Grey-Bruce.

Anglers and hunters are the best conservationists. These two community

Clubs lead the way in this part of Ontario, helping to preserve and protect fish and wildlife. Both Bruce Peninsula and Sydenham club members, go out of their way to encourage young people to appreciate the outdoors, and try to help them understand the magic that nature has to offer.

Please check the clubs web sites at:

http://www.sydenhamsportsmen.com/members/index.php

ttp://www.bpsportsmen.com/pdfs/2012/Dec_Bulletin_2012.pdf

Volunteers from the Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen included Jim McKane, Don Elliott, and Stu Paterson. Sydenham Club participants were Mike Prevost, Bob Hunt, Brian Clements, John Morneau, Ron Robb, John Ford and Don Lobbin.

Thanks Stu.  I am pleased to say our Grandsons, Aiden and Connor were most fortunate  recipients of a Bird Feeder thanks to these wonderful organizations and volunteers.

Today was a pretty good day, as I did wake up without the migraine so that was good in itself.  I did manage to change our bedding, do one load of laundry up to hang on the clothes horses to dry in front of the wood stove, and sweep up at least one extra dog off the floor.  

I also managed to get in some "Fabulous Four" Checkerboard Aussie puppy time.  I will post their most recent photo here, but from here on in any puppy updates and photos can be found on the "Checkerboard Aussie" blog by going HERE.

"From top to bottom:  Blue Merle Female; Black Tri Male; Red Tri Female; Red Merle Female.  All healthy and noisy at less then 24 hours old.  Mama Lexus is doing just fine.  Three have Forever Homes, and the Red Tri Female should be hearing about a possible Forever Home this evening."

"Supper was amazing ... a Peameal Roast done in the Slow Cooker, served up with boiled Red Cabbage and white potatoes."

It was a good day, however I am looking forward to another early night, as both Rob and I are feeling pretty weary this evening, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".