Boxing Day Shopping

I have came to the conclusion I am not feeling well.  Once again I could barely get out of bed this morning and o I am feeling totally whipped.

Rob was called out this morning so we didn't get going to Owen Sound to look for a Washing Machine until at least 11 am.  We never did bother going all over to other stores but choose to go directly to Sears.

I had pretty much done some research online while waiting for Rob to come home, also putting a call into the Sears Appliance Department.  Once we had arrived there we had pretty much decided on the Samsung Top Loader 5.2 cu foot model.

The washing machine was on sale at $200 off.  Rob decided we needed a matching set so also purchased the dryer.  Total of the set was $1,299.00 before taxes.

Delivery is $70.00, so we have decided to go pick it up ourselves on the 30th of December.  Really what happened to the good old days when delivery was always included?  gone like the products which used to last over 20 years, right?

All details on the set we purchased can be found HERE.

This is the last week of the 52 Week Money Challenge.  After purchasing the new leather recliners back in September I am left with $620.00 in my Challenge Account, part of that money being also from the sealed pot which I had contributed to for a Year..  It is a no brainer that this money will be going towards the new washer and dryer.

I will be doing the 52 Week Challenge again beginning the 1st Week of January 2015.  Will there be anyone joining me again?  and the ones who stuck it out with me this past Year, how did you do and what did you spend your savings on?

I will be making a list of people joining me along with the 2015 52 Week Money Challenge next Friday, so please let me know if you will be "on board" again.

This afternoon I could not believe that I went back to bed and had a sleep !  I really know I am not feeling well when that happens.  Here it is 7 pm and I am ready to go back to bed again already !!!

I am going to try stay up for a bit with hopes I will sleep the night away and not feel so dragged out tomorrow.  Truly I have barely done anything the past couple of weeks so I do not know what is draining me so much.

This weekend I am hoping Rob can pull out the old washer so I can clean all the spiders and yech from behind it.  I hate spiders, and yes they have their own breeding grounds in our basement EWWWWW !

I think putting up my feet and  a cuppa tea might now be the last order of this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

A Tad Icy This Morn With Lots of In & Outs

I lay in bed looking out the window into the grey morning light of the wee hours to see the trees swaying in the wind as it howled around the house.  It really was one of those mornings that we like to cuddle deeper into the covers to keep ourselves away from the coldness of what is waiting outdoors.

The floors were cold when I did get from out of the warmth of my blankets.  The wood stove had been easy to start this morning, as there had still been a bed of hot coals waiting to be fed more wood.  I did manage to get a coffee before it was time to get dressed and brave the cold icyness of the outdoors with each of our Aussies.

"Just think I was going to put the Snowman in the window away last week.  Good thing I hadn't since the iced window made a lovely backdrop for him.  I had a challenge this morning, and was glad Rob was home, as the basement door facing the East had been frozen solid and I had needed him to open it for us.  While I was on Aussie duty, Rob had gotten busy cleaning off our vans,, as his "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle needed dropped off at the mechanics first thing."

Yesterday our "other" Crabby Cabbie vehicle had been in as the Distributor Cap had needed replacing.  This morning Rob's went in as it needed a Master Brake Cylinder.  It has been quite the challenge keeping up with the vehicle repairs the past two months.  However we need to be safe, and know our vehicles are well maintained keeping in mind our Customers safety first and foremost.

The drive was a bit challenging however going slow and steady it was not too terribly bad.

We returned home to find out our appointment with the Doctor had been cancelled due to weather conditions being worse further North of us.  That worked out okay as there is always something to be done around here.  Everyday seems like the things to do are never ending to me most days.  Ha! I can tell I am tired when I start making comments like that one.

Rob and I were both amazed when we received a phone call from the Wiarton OPP Detachment that our Police Checks were ready to be picked up.  That was only one days time, rather then the usual up to two weeks wait.  We must have "hit" a good time to have dropped them off yesterday.  Off we went to retrieve them ...

"The Highways were better then they had been earlier in the morning, however the back streets were still a bit "tricky" in places.  The temperature was on a slow but steady rise.  By lunch time the roads were pretty good and the freezing had left the air."

Back home we came after dropping into to the Adult Continuing Education Center, who in turn was going to pass on our information that we are seeking to employ a reliable driver(s) with a clean driver's record and proof of existing personal auto insurance, as well as a clear Police Check.

It baffles me how difficult it is to find employees, with so many seemingly unemployed.  I thought even a retired person would enjoy driving part-time throughout the week, however we can not even find us one or two of them either.  Fingers and toes crossed we find us one or two reliable and honest people to employ for the Summer time, with hopefully staying on with us Year Round.  Honest is the operative word here. especially when dealing with "cash" sales, as well as seniors or mentally challenged persons, in our line of business.

It didn't seem long that we had been home long when the phone had rang with Rob having to go back out again.  Of course this had been just the time I was going to be preparing our lunch.  I had lunch and carried on with what else I had been working on, then prepared Rob's when he got back home again.

With Lunch barely over, we got the phone call that Rob's "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle was ready to be picked up.  Out the door again we went ... there was no ice on the highway from the front of our house to the other side of Wiarton, as I am sure we had burned it off with us being up and down that highway since early morning !!!  Jeez Whiz ....

Before I forget ... are you looking for some fun for yourself and a friend on a Saturday night?  then check out the following dance where you can have fun and support a local charity event all at the same time.

With so much running the roads back and forth most of the day I really didn't get anything whatsoever accomplished in the way of housework, or much of anything else for that matter.  I am tired too, but I will blame that on the weather since us Canadians are so good at doing that anyway.

We are having a bit of a fun draw over at The "Checkerboard Aussies" Facebook page.  In order to participate you MUST "Like" their Facebook Page.  This is what I had posted to their page once Rob had given me a hand taking a couple of the roly poly Missy Mercedes this afternoon (where did I ever find the time to do this I wonder?).

"The "Checkerboard Aussies" are going to have a pool. In order to qualify you must LIKE their Facebook page (the page, not a post or photo on their page, please). Mercedes is due on or about the 28th of April 2013. Post your "guess" on how many puppies she will have, and whoever guesses the right number will be entered into a draw to win a Gift Certificate. Please feel free to "share" this Puppy Pool with your family & friends. Best luck to the Winner once the happy day has came and gone !!!  I will be announcing this shortly after the big day."

Would love to have you join in on the fun, and you may do so by going to The "Checkerboard Aussies" Facebook page by *clicking* HERE.

Later today I had also received a phone call from Sandi Richard's husband, Ron.  Ron called to let me know he will be mailing me off a copy of one of Sandi's "Cook Books" very shortly.  Stay tuned as that will be a very exciting upcoming Give Away, once I have Sandi's Cookbook in my hot little hands.  To say the least, I am very excited !  Did you miss the interview I had with Sandi? you can catch up by reading it HERE.

Also I finally got into a nice warm bed last evening and opened Steena Holmes book, Finding Emma.  It was easy to start reading right from the "get go".  Hopefully I will be posting a review of her book within the next week or two.  Should anyone not be familiar with Steena Holmes, please check out when she did a Guest Post a week ago by *clicking* HERE.

Oh yes, for all of us who are doing the 52 Week Money Challenge, it is Week 15 !  How are you doing,  Toni, Judy, Stacey, Michelle, Diane, Ellen, Debby, Cathy, Jean, Karen, Elsie, Gill, Darlene, Vicki, Abby, Marg, Janet, Marlyn, Christy, Alice, Monica, Kathy, and Rob?

On that note I think I will end my "a tad icy this morn with lots of ins and outs" as there are a couple Australian Shepherds that are needing an in and out themselves here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Battle of the Paper !

It was an early 5:00 am morning again.  What a surprise to find a skiff of snow, along with a brisk cold wind after the double digit high temps we had the preceding few days.  I believe the January thaw might have came to an abrupt end.

Since last week was a "write-off" in my eyes, between a day trip to Kitchener-Waterloo, "Crabby Cabbie" book work, then an onslaught of migraine headaches, I decided today I was not going to let the day escape me.

I still had to finish up the book work by figuring out the HST for the last quarter of 2012, so I tackled that first off before anything.  Once that was done I decided to go at things one at a time, as not to overwhelm myself.  It is so easy to get overwhelmed when one has not been able to keep up on a regular daily basis, ending up accomplishing nothing much when this happens.  Focus is needed to achieve accomplishment.  Focus I did. 

It became a "Battle of the Paper" this morning.  I organized and did all the filing for the "Crabby Cabbie", then proceeded onto the desk.

"I had been so "focused" on getting things done I forgot to take "before" photos, however I am very happy with the "after" photos."

"The next thing I did was reclaim my dining room table and buffet from a mess of papers !  See that pile of paper, this is what I cleared from the desk and after sorting through what to file and what not to file."

 The Wood Stove was very very happy after I had fed it a huge breakfast of Paper !!!  Another declutter job done for the Month of January !

Mission accomplished until the next "Battle of the Paper".  Once done I got everything gathered to make the trip downtown Wiarton to our bank to make a Mafia Government Pay-off, and do a couple of other little errands.

Before I left I had to try on a Backpack we had picked up for our "Checkerboard Aussies".  Who would be the perfect cooperative "model" then no other then our ....

" ... Bandit Boy.  Not too sure if he was impressed, but he did cooperate as he is the bestest boy in the whole wide World !"

I actually bought the Back Pack for Buddy and Mercedes, or maybe Bandit too (from one of the Swaps for an awesome price of $10.00) when I start taking them off property walking again.  

Interested in a Doggie Back Pack for your dog?  *Click* HERE for 10 Reasons to Buy One.

I really hope to get back into a routine of daily walking again after two years of doing so to  doing nothing.  After having torn my Meniscus within three months of knee surgery, it tore again ! with a second surgery to follow within the same year, it really set me back from walking on a daily basis.  I have decided if it is going to tear again, so be it as I felt better when I was walking or on my treadmill daily then how I have been feeling since I ceased doing so.  Now to get myself back going on that will be the next accomplishment.

After Bandit modeled the Pack Pack for me to satisfy my curiosity, I headed further South of the Checkerboard to downtown Wiarton.  

RBC Bank - check (paid our dues)

Drug Store - check (prescription not ready)

Gilbert Shoes - check (a "hello" drop in)

Salvation Army Store - check (oops spent a wee little bit of money here)

Post Office - check (stamps) purchased

YIKES !!!  put the brakes on !!!  The price of a Stamp went up today !!! I believe about by five cents in Canada, as well as Postage to the USA and International.  Really was there not just an increase last Year???  Need to see the new prices that were implemented today? just *click* HERE.  Scroll part way down the page to see the stamp increases for Letter mail 

I had taken Bandit and Lexus along for the ride since Rob had left the two crates in the Van from our day trip last week.  They were happy campers, or should I say "passengers".  They LOVE going for rides in the Van ... and are totally awesome travellers.  Since Rob and I do not have doggie sitters when we go away for a day, they have to be excellent travellers to go along with us when need be.

It was at least 2:30 pm by the time I returned back home to let everyone have a big old run out in the brisk cold wind ... brr.  Needless to say the wood stove was "fired" up today again.

I got to thinking (what else is new) that I have been feeling out of sort the past few months since I have not had myself much of a regular routine anymore.  You know when you cook a meal for someone every day?  This has definitely not happening with my Rob working so many hours at being The "Crabby Cabbie".  As much work at times, or a bother at others, it might seem, I do miss cooking on a regular basis as it gave me a feeling of routine, never mind how much I enjoy cooking.  We need stability and routine in our lives do we not? I think so ... or at least it seems I do, as I really believe this is what I have been missing.  Oh yes, of course I have also been missing my Rob on a regular basis too, what kind of a "soul mate" and "wife" would I be if I didn't.  *Smile*

True love is what I know I have, as we are always able to make it through those up and downs to be there for each other.  To bare witness to another true love, take a moment to drop on over to Lena's Blog post of today by *clicking* HERE.  It brought tears to my eyes this day.

Since Monday evenings Rob has never worked I got to planning our meal earlier this morning by taking Back Ribs out of the freezer to thaw.  This afternoon I got going on the Easy Peasy as 1-2-3 preparation of the ribs.

"I mixed a rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and tomato powder (homemade) into the ribs, then placed them into the Slow Cooker."

"After the ribs had cooked on HIGH for 3 1/2 hours, I drained off the grease.  Even at this stage they look totally ready to go ... but not until I drizzled Miners' Maple Products Maple Chipolte BBQ sauce over them and left them on HIGH for another 1/2 hour while I cooked up a fry pan of leftover boiled potatoes and red onion.  I don't know about anyone else when they were growing up, but in our house we all went for the crispy crisp bottom from the fry pan ... yummy love crispy brown fried potatoes."

"Believe me, Rob and I really really enjoyed our Dinner tonight.  The company was good and the food was unbelievably good !"

This post has been shared over at Jaimes Love Bakes Good Cakes @ http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2013/01/all-my-bloggy-friends-29.html

A new friend I have had the honor of meeting in person over Christmas, resides down in Florida every Winter.  Along with the photo she posted tonight she wrote ....

"A Crabby for the Cabbie all the way from La Belle, Florida", on The "Crabby Cabbie" Facebook Page.  Rob responded with, "Thanks Sharon, I needed a few more Crabby Friends !"  Hahahaha ... I LOVE ME some friends, even if they might be a little on the Crabby side."

 Thanks Sharon, Rob would LOVE all the "Crabby" company !!! but more so in person shell he thinks.

Oh man look at me ramble !!!  I didn't even feel like doing much of a post tonight and look at me go.

Before I forget my manners, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Lenetta of Life According to Lenetta for joining me here on my daily journey, and sometime or not rants or opinions.  Welcome !

Also welcome Alice for making us 21 who are "on board" for the 52 Week Money Challenge.  Out of 21 of us, Alice was quick to point out that Week 49 isn't adding up as it should ... ha ! I am so happy one of us read the whole chart ... Hahaha, thanks Alice for being "quick to point" that out now as by the time I got to Week 49 I could have been "stumped" I am sure !  and for those ones who are putting the weeks in a weekly draw, don't panic as it still adds up to what it should be at the end of the 52 Weeks !

I am also pretty pumped and excited about all the interest I have been getting on having an Ontario Blogger Day ... stay tuned it is now just around the corner..  Interested in being "linked" up for this, please give a SHOUT OUT on your blog and read more about it HERE.

I have a huge day planned ahead for tomorrow.  I really need to have a good night's sleep for be ready for it, so off I go to do just that, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Not A Pretty Sight

Everyone has a "bad" day every once in awhile.  If they don't I really would think they are telling a pretty huge "fiblbet".  Some of us have bad days, with some absolutely "horrendous" ones.  I just had a day that was "bad, bad, bad" ... but far from "horrendous", so that couldn't be too bad now, could it?

"It was bad enough I wanted to be permanently "Out of Order" for part of this day."

This morning went along pretty good with the usual routine with the "Checkerboard Aussies" and myself.  Then a bit of cleaning of this and that until just before the noon hour my dear sweet Rob got up for the day.

I have been waiting to finish up The "Crabby Cabbie" book work, it being the last quarter end of the Year and whatnot, however I had some questions needing  Rob to clarify a few things for me ..... trust me it was "not a pretty sight".

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing you say to each other is communicated to the other the way you want to be? of course you have.  Black should be White, but they think not.  With both of us not feeling well, with fatigue and headaches, along with the usual aches and pains ....

"... and the "stuff" needing dealt with still there to deal with until it gets dealt with."

We settled the grey areas between the black and white, finally getting the task at hand done, even though it was over 3 hours later.  *Sigh* have I ever mentioned before that I hate doing book work?  more then likely I am sure.

Oh did it get better?  NO ... the beautiful supper I had planned on didn't turn out the way I had wanted.  Nor did the Artisan Bread I had planned on trying to make, that my Blogger friend, Debby, had made with success, did not even get past a thought.

Oh man it felt like I was on a mini "bad" roller coaster ride this day.

I still managed to have a couple *smiles*.  Usually one, or another, of our "Checkerboard Aussies" put a smile or two or many more on my face every day at some point, usually regardless of how I have been feeling or how bad the day has gone.

"Buddy enjoyed himself one of the Ciabatta Buns that had gone "off" before their Best Before Day.  He was in his glory with that big chewy bun, putting a *smile* on his face."

Then the creation one of the members on Cindy's Recipe Exchange made today put a *smile* on my face when she posted the Homemade Pizza, using a Dough "from scratch" recipe another member had submitted to the Exchange.  We have such a nice little community of people in the recipe exchange, how could that not make me *smile*.

"Oh how I wished I had lived closer to Kathy this day so I could "share" with her this awesome looking Homemade Pizza she had made.  Isn't is colourful and yummy looking? "

Today I also advertised the upcoming 2013 Checkerboard Aussie litter, which has showed some promising interest already.  Really now who wouldn't want themselves a totally awesome "Checkerboard Aussie" puppy? 

Just look at all those sweet little faces ....

The "Checkerboard Aussies" are expecting their 2013 Litter of amazing Australian Shepherd puppies on or about the 6th of February 2012. Contact us to Reserve yours now. Fully socialized, vet checked, shots and deworming x4 at $550.00 each. (deposit required).

We are are on FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Checkerboard-Aussies/391795127565803, as well as having our own Blog at http://checkerboardaussies.blogspot.ca/

Puppy PHOTO is of our 2012 Checkerboard Aussie Litter

I don't know about anyone else, but if we didn't have the parents of all those little sweeties, I sure would be "sold" on one after seeing and reading this advertisement.  

From left to right, Jake, Scout, Injaca, Cash, Fraff and Myles.  The "Spectacular Six" !!! do I know our pups, or what?

A big welcome to Christy who has joined along with the other 19 of us in the 52 Week Money Making Challenge, you might have noticed on the side bar of my blog.  We are now 20 strong who are taking this Challenge together !!!

I am also pretty excited that there are about nine Ontario Bloggers that have shown an interest in being "linked" up here for an Ontario Bloggers Day post !!!  Should you be an Ontario Blogger, please Email me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca to let me know should you like to be "on board" with this too.  Also any SHOUT OUTS on your blogs pointing others in this direction would be appreciated.  Hopefully we will have just a few more to make this a great "link" up and a regular upcoming event.

I am tired, still with a headache, thinking I am going to make it another early night here, to look forward to a better day tomorrow.  On a big "P" for POSITIVE that is making me positively happy at the moment, that dang, dang, triple dang "Crabby Cabbie" book work is done for the time being, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Few "B" Moments Today

Before I get going on what my today has been spent doing, I must note how many wonderful gals have came along"on board" with me for the 52 Week Money Savings Challenge, which the link to can be found at the side bar of my blog.

I am pretty excited to find out what everybody will be deciding what to do with their savings at the end of 52 weeks.  Be prepared to "share" this Toni, Judy, Stacey, Michelle, Diane, Ellen, Debby, Cathy, Jean, Karen, Elsie, Gill, Darlene, Vicki, Abby and Marg.  I will be posting a reminder at least once a month to see that everyone is still "on board" with the Challenge... if you have decided to drop out, please let me know so I can keep "tabs" on who is still in !  May all of us see the end of 52 weeks with a little bit fatter account for whatever "special" item or event we each decide on for ourselves.

I am so excited about the prospect of having $1,378.00 saved by the end of this Year, the possibilities of what I could spend this amount of money are unbelievable !!!  Could it be towards a vacation we haven't had for at least 3 years? a home renovation? a pay down on the mortgage ???? Endless I say, endless !!!  Can you tell I am "over the moon" excited about this Challenge?

Yes there were "a few "B" moments today", here and there, and actually pretty much throughout my whole day now I stop to think about it.  The second "b" moment was making my "bed", as usually the first "b"  moment includes ....

"Bandit.  After coming in from being outside with the girls I get one of many many *smiles*.  He then sits back to get his photo taken "handsomely" before he moves in further to get me with a "nose" moment ! "

After a bit of this and that this day in the way of the most usual humdrum "have to get done" things, it was on to my third "b" of the day .....

"There were some bananas on our counter top that required my undivided attention this afternoon that paired up with a can of crushed pineapple.  Dry ingredients first mixed."

"Pineapple well drained through a mesh strainer then mixed with the remaining "wet" ingredient.  Wet meets Dry to be folded together until "just" moist, then before you know it there are three pans all oven ready."

"There were a few more "b" Bandit moments while the "b's" of baking Banana Pineapple Bread was going on.  What a good Boy, our Bandit is while balancing his treat on his nose ... not certain if the girls would be this good, but then again the don't have "b" names either, and they definitely  are not boys."

Really I think I am being quite silly today.  This happens when one is feeling tired now doesn't it?

"Bravo !!! before I knew it the Banana Pineapple Bread was done.  Oh it is ever so good, it really really is."

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE recipe just *click* HERE.

On his way home tonight Rob dropped his "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle off to our mechanics for an oil change.  On our way home, after I had picked him up from there, we had one more stop to make after the Pharmacy, at my friend Lynn's place.

"Thanks Lynn, for donating the pennies you had been saving to the Grey-Bruce VON Piggy for Pennies.  And even volunteering to come help me when it is time to roll all the change my "Crabby Cabbie" has collected from her being fed in his Cab?  How sweet is that !"

Honestly there is a whole plastic juice container almost full right to the brim with pennies and other change needing "rolled" up before we deliver it to the Grey-Bruce VON offices in February.  I will be doing a big SHOUT OUT for helping hands before February rolls around, so keep your ears open for that time.

When I am tired and not in the mood for making a big meal, I always have the versatile egg on standby to help me out .....

"How Easy Peasy as 1-2-3 is it to throw a really good  cheese and veggie omelet together with whatever you happen to have on hand?  Tonight it was sweet red peppers, red onion and Cheddar cheese, along with a pan of home fried potatoes.  There was no complaints from either Rob or I when we sat down to enjoy this Dinner together this evening."

Not sure if anyone noticed or not, but I got me a new Badge up in the right hand corner of my page.  I really am a Proud Canadian Blogger !  Isn't it lovely.  I went looking for one after I had seen Gill had one on her Blog.

I have duly noted two new followers who have joined me here for my daily journey in life, along with the odd opinion or two, or three, and rant or rave, I might have from time to time.  Welcome Mama G of the Frazzled Shell, and  Diana of Diana Rambles.  Thank you for being here with me.

Had I mentioned earlier how tired I was today? of course I did.  Spelling or Grammar errors, so sad, to bad, so sorry, too tired.....on that note I believe I will tie up some loose ends with shortly calling it an early night here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Family RULES !!!

"Family Rules cause Families do RULE ! "

What do I think of my new sign?  I LOVE it !  Where would I get such a cool "Family Rules" sign from ? especially since I am participating in a No/Low Spend Challenge for the Month of January.  I could not believe I was fortunate enough to win it in a Give Away from one of our local Wiarton Stores who is on Facebook.  What local Wiarton store would make such a unique sign for a Give Away?  one of my favourite stores that I never tire of visiting or taking anyone by to visit ..... that being The "Cluttered Cupboard".

"From the outside you are immediately drawn in ... the front entrance way is so cozy leading up the stairs to wonders from re-purposed antiques and retro items, as you see here with a pair of old skis made into a hall tree, to some items you will find to be lovely and new.  Unique you want? then further venture up the stairs .... trust me you will not be disappointed. "

"You would never leave The Cluttered Cupboard without finding something that you would not want or desire for your home.  A work shop where I had the honor of peaking into where many of The Cluttered Cupboard creations have been and are being created is below the store.  New? look at the wonderful selection and colours of yarn being offered up to tickle your own creative fancies."

"As you glance from one item to the next, you will find yourself again drawn back to look a second or third time to make sure you never missed something on the first look."

"Ah there is Owner, Bill Morrow, making a wee adjustment to something that might not have been "just" so, as nothing should be out of place to a customer's pleasing eye."

Thank you to owner's Bill and Holly for hosting another Give Away on their Facebook page, that myself and my friend, Toni with an "i" were able to win one of your creations through, as well as giving so many others a chance to do so by just "liking" your page.

You will not want to miss out on any of The Cluttered Cupboard's newest creations and/or future Give Aways, so I would love to suggest you stop on over onto their Facebook Page to give their page a huge "LIKE" by *clicking* HERE to do so.

I heard also from an "inside" informant that there will be some new renovations within the next while at The Cluttered Cupboard.  This certainly will be cause for another excuse to go back for a visit so I can check out all the new changes in person !

Once I had enjoyed my visit at The Cluttered Cupboard, I headed on over to a friends place as I had picked up a little something for her last year that I had wanted to gift her as a combination Christmas/Birthday gift.  I just happened to "catch" my friend and her hubby as they were pulling out of their driveway.  I have since had a message from her that she had been most happy and thankful for the gift I had dropped around to her.

I am so happy I have made my Goal this year to be Kinder, as it does make me feel good to do so.  And really does it take any more effort to be kind, then not to be?

I had to drop off some of the stuff I had decluttered this week to our local Salvation Army Store, where I was able to see another of my friends who works there.  Friends really are the BEST aren't they, in any shape, form or age, as long as they are friends.  I LOVE me my friends !!!

I have yet to get some Turkey soup made from the Turkey stock I made the other day here, so when I returned home I got to skimming the fat from the top, which I was happy there wasn't too much to skim.  What I also did was strain it more to clarify it somewhat more then it was after skimming the fat from it..

"I laid a clean tea cloth in a strainer over top another pot while pouring the stock through, leaving the sentiment behind in the tea clothe as shown below."

Now I am happy to go ahead with make some Turkey Noodle Soup and freezing the remainder of the stock for another soup on another day.

I am so happy happy happy I am not alone on the 52 Week Money Saving Challenge, as of today there are a total of ten of us participating.  Don't miss out on joining along ... it is really quite the "doable" challenge to save a bit of money by the end of the Year, with all details found by *clicking* HERE.  Look forward to you joining Toni, Judy, Stacey, Michelle, Diane, Ellen, Debby, Cathy, Jean, and myself.

I think I will wrap things up here now so I can go and get that done now, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Another Down and How Many More To Go ???

The Taxi business has slowed down for a rest after the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and all the excitement of anticipating the New Year of 2013. 

"My "Crabby Cabbie" came home early last night, to be smothered, watch a bit of TV, and  enjoy a plateful of one of his favourites,  leftover Turkey Dinner.  Can't get much better then all of that."

This morning brought high winds giving way to lots of drifting of snow.  I cancelled going up North of the Checkerboard, as I really didn't want to deal with heavy winds and drifts along the flats.  

I am very anxious about Winter driving since I rolled my vehicle almost two years ago now, wondering if I will truly ever get over it.  I have the greatest fear also of passing, since in my 20's we had passed someone, having a dump  truck turn in front of us, hence the severe damage to my neck today I am certain.  It was a miracle I walked away from both accidents, for this I have really truly counted all my blessings.

The change in weather this morning also brought another FM flare-up with my usual headaches.  The trick is to try and keep moving, even though staying in bed most certainly has been crossing my mind the past couple of days.  Move, move, move ... really really really. 

"I have faithfully been adding to my "one, or two, good memories" a day jar.  It is hopefully going to be jammed packed full by the end of 2013.  It will be so much fun opening and reading what good memories I had all throughout 2013."

"I thought maybe a little toast, peanut butter and flax would give me some energy this morning, so this is what I had.  I LOVE Flax ... ground flax is the thing to sprinkle on your foods in the way of sandwiches, salads, cereals."

Should you NOT be familiar with Flax, there is lots of information on it from the Flax Council of Canada just by *clicking* HERE.  Hope you will find some reasons for it to be of a benefit to you too.

Yes I am on the Low/No Spend and Declutter Challenge for the Month of January, but when I seen two items on the Swap that would fit the Grand Boys, how could I refuse.

"Two Spring Jackets made in Vancouver BC, lightly lined and water proof, the exact perfect sizes for Aiden and Connor.  How could I go wrong for the Low Spend amount of $5.00 each?  I couldn't that is for dang certain."

Day 4 into the Challenge, and I have only spend $12.00.  I think I am doing pretty triple dang good, especially when both these jackets are like "brand new".  Oh the $2.00? that was for my coffee yesterday when I had met up with my Cousin Suzanne.

It took me until after lunch to get going at anything.  I am ashamed to say I sure didn't get too much done other then our bed made, some Crabby Cabbie book work business sorted around and ....

" ... got going on decluttering the front and side of the fridge.  This has been bugging me for some time.  All the clutter was moved over to the Dining room table to be sorted once I had washed the outside of the fridge.  You know it always takes a mess to clean a mess !"

"I am very pleased with the "after".  I do so look at the photos I keep on the fridge, and then there are three important business cards, our mechanics and the vets, along with on the side of the fridge is recycling days, along with a couple of conversion charts.  This are all very very important things in my life *smile*.  Besides I am not sure if I would like my home too much if it couldn't be used what it is for ... to "live" in it."

"The wood stove was happy today, as it got a different variety fed to it today."

I can't believe how long a job like decluttering the outside of a fridge can take.  Sometimes those, what seem like piddly jobs, can be quite time consuming.... more so when I am having one of my "off" days.

Another "decluter" down, and how many more to go????  quite a few I am afraid to admit, but a another dent has been made !!!  Hooray !!!

When Bandit and I were outside this afternoon, I retrieved the mail to find there some more Happy Mail for me !!!

"We got a Christmas Card from my Great Niece, her other half and a Santa Claus photo with my dear sweet Great Great Niece Deja in it.  I would love to kiss those sweet chubby cheekies of hers, but alas they live way out in a Western province of Canada.  Maybe they will be back to visit Ontario again this Summer?"

I had nicely gotten my photos all ready for today's blog post when the phone rang around 6:20 pm.  It was my dear "Crabby Cabbie" to tell me he was up in our Neck of the Woods with a taxi fare and would drop on home in 20 minutes time.  Holy Crap Batman, he hadn't taken a lunch today, so I was certain he was starving.  I had to think fast, or as fast as I had all day to get something prepared for him.

"Leftover turkey, celery, carrot, red onion, broccoli, frozen mushrooms and our own garden peas, along with some Philadelphia Cooking Creme and leftover Turkey Gravey was put into motion.   By the way, I do so LOVE my new Paderno Ceramic Fry pan I got myself not too long ago."

"Once the veggies had sauteed with the chopped Turkey added, in went the Cooking Creme, then the Turkey gravey along with cooked egg noodles."

After Rob had his second bowl he asked me if I came up with Dinner "out of my head", which I replied "yes" to.... he said dinners were much better out of my head.  I think I will take that as a very big compliment from my very satisfied and full hubby.

I had a small bowl myself, being very pleased with my "throw together" creation myself.  It was the first time I had tried the Herb & Garlic Cooking Creme (thanks Toni), however on its own I wasn't too fussy when I had a sample, however after the Turkey gravey had been added it was really good.  Maybe just a case of taste buds is all.

Since it is Friday in my part of the World, I decided to begin the 52 Week Money Challenge and put my savings amount away today, instead of waiting until tomorrow.  I have an e-account under my online banking, so I will just transfer the required amount into that account each week.  I am pleased to say there are 8 of us "on board" for this Challenge.  It is still not too late to come "on board" yourself.  Check it out by giving a *click* to my post of yesterday HERE.  The more the merrier, right ?

I will be posting reminders every so often to make sure everyone is on track with the Challenge, and to remind us all a wee bit if we haven't been ... *smile*.

Oops, almost forgot to extend a huge welcome to another new follower !  Welcome Deb at Cooking on the Front Burner.  I am so happy you have joined me here for my daily journey and my many sometime rants and raves.  Thank you.

Okay here it is going on to 10:00 pm.  No wonder I am tired, still with headache pushing my eyes near close.  Really I think I should take the "hint" my achy body is telling me by heading it off to a warm comfy bed very shortly, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Hello Cocoa Vanilla Wiarton

... I have heard you have had your doors open for the past few months now, and I have been missing out all this time.

Not no more !  Last night my Cousin Suzanne send me off a text, "would you like to meet for coffee tomorrow at the Cocoa Vanilla?"  Since I had been in to meet Owner, Jeff Leonard, just before Christmas saying I would be back, what a better time then today to do so.

Let me carry on with the excitement of the day, and leave the hum drum daily stuff of my life until the last, will I?  of course I will.

"Main Street Wiarton, there it is ... Cocoa Vanilla.  Inside I venture with no other then my Cousin Suzanne all settled in and comfy like already in a very inviting atmosphere."

"Suzanne had a "take out" menu in front of her that she had been perusing, with her Vanilla Cafe shortly served up to her by wonderful smiling male, who just happens to be Proprietor Jeff Leonard.  Um, Suzanne you are to go up and order your beverages, how did you manage to wangle the owner into delivering yours?  no mind as he is so nice, he even delivered my double cream coffee over to me too !  Service with a *smile*, it doesn't get much better then that now does it?"

"Not only is there lots of comfy places to seat yourself with a beverage or food item(s) of your choice from an selective menu, along with some good reading material, you will find there is also a corner spot in the Cocoa Vanilla for some entertainment in the way of blues, jazz and/or a bit of unplugged music.  Nice, very nice ... never mind how warm the decor makes you feel."

"I like the "chalkboard" style.  You also might be tempted by some homemade goodies once you have approached the counter to order, so beware of the impeding temptations upon entering."

"Cocoa Vanilla has WiFi service "free" for their customers.  Now really who would not want to go have a beverage, grab some great food and be able to read the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard" Blog?  Really anyone ?  I think NOT. "

"The Mosaic ~Arts, Entertainment & Lifestyle in Grey-Bruce, did an amazing article on the Cocoa Vanilla.  I am really excited to have found out through their article that Jeff's daughter, Victoria,  was in London's 2010 Iron Cupcake Challenge,  now the baker and chef for Cocoa Vanilla.  Being an admirer of cooking and baking myself I can not wait to meet her in person !!!  Wow !  I am excited to go back just to meet  Victoria."

I LOVE Cocoa Vanilla !!!  I am sure anyone would love it as well, and can find way more about it being a Family run business, as well as being able to peruse their menus by checking out their Website by *clicking*  HERE.

Are you a Facebook Account user? link up with Cocoa Vanilla by *clicking* HERE.  

As I said, I am very excited about returning, much sooner then later as it seems I had been so busy talking I had forgot to pay for my coffee *blush*.  I will be back Jeff !!!

Okay I don't know how I am going to follow that act with how the rest of my day went, but my "Crabby Cabbie" can ....

"Rob had to drop by someone who had taken the "Crabby Cabbie" New Year's Eve.  They had also handwritten him a "note".   It is really nice to know when you are appreciated and people realize "only the Name is Crabby"."

The "Crabby Cabbie" really appreciates all the "LIKES" he is getting from friends and customers on his Facebook page.  Should you have a Facebook Account he would LOVE your "LIKE" on his page by *clicking* HERE.

I never did get too much done around here today, except make up the one spare bedroom with fresh bedding.  I never did get my Turkey Soup made, but what I did do was ....

" ... some more decluttering !!!  YAY  "me" !!! "

Just a lil' bit, but any bit is better then no bit *smile*..

Is anyone up to a Money Challenge with me???? the first contribution is coming up the end of this week.  How Easy Peasy as 1-2-3 is this Challenge?

"... and really can it be that hard to do? the end results are amazing and just for YOU, or you and him, or her and him, or you and a friend .... the combination of possibilities are endless !"

Up for the Challenge?  leave me a comment on my Blog and/or email me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca , and I will compile a list of persons who are in on this challenge with me.  I will periodically do a post, checking up on how well we are all doing on this, with a finale at Year end.  May the best women/men make it too the end !!!

Here is a little trivia to end today's post.  Did you know when Charles Schulz retired the Peanuts Gang?

Who didn't love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang?  I can imagine no one.

A huge welcome to Tracy Boone of Life, Cupcakes and Life, who has recently started following me here for my daily journal and ramblings.  Thanks Tracy !

Things to do, "Checkerboard Aussie's" needing my attention, so here I go, once again, off and running, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".