What Child Is This ?

Today was not at all productive.  I was tired, thinking the past days, or weeks, have taken their toll.  I have had to slow down and this is what I did today.

A neighbour was in need of a ride to town this morning, so I did this and waited until she was done before taking her back home 2 hours later.  She was extremely appreciative, expressing how good Rob and I were.  That was a wonderful compliment that meant very much to me.

The snow was coming down pretty good here today, the roads a bit greasy, however visibility was really good making Life easier for those travelling.  I am praying the Freezing Rain storm they have been talking about for the past couples of days decides to stay at bay ... http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on20#onrm39-508cwto-046240

I am always concerned when the weather is bad, worrying about my Crabby Cabbie, and his drivers out there in nasty weather.  I always say a prayer for all of them.

My Auntie and First Cousins, and Niece and I are getting together for a Christmas Luncheon tomorrow.  My Auntie Gladys, Cousin Vi, and myself have been doing this every year for sometime now.  I enjoy our get togethers, so I am also praying the weather stays calm for us tomorrow.

I LOVE getting mail (that are not bills), anytime of the Year, not only at Christmas time.

I received 4 more Cards today.  One from our young friend, Nathan in Australia, another from my friend, Abby, one from Nancy who is in Cindy's Recipe Exchange (& I got an awesome recipe from her too), and lastly a lovely card from my friend, Carla, & her family, of My 1/2 Dozen Daily (with a Tim Hortons Card inside ! she sure knows Rob & I).  

I love looking at our buffet as it is full of love and good wishes.

Another fantastic thing I had happen to me, which actually took place yesterday, was my girlfriend, Vicki, calling to tell me the (P) stamps over her way were still being sold.  She got me 100 stamps, and I was ready to do the happy dance about this, as our local Post Office told me the (P) stamps had been pulled from the shelves until after the price hike in March had occurred (dirty pool if you ask me about it).  Thanks Vicki, I LOVE you did this for me !!! xx

Did you not realize there was going to be another price hike for Canada Post stamps in the New Year? read all about it HERE.

Rob had been all over the countryside it seemed today.  When he was in Owen Sound at one point he had some time to kill, so into Canadian Tire he had went to spend the Gift Card he had received when we bought something there the other day.  It was for $10.00.

It appeared Rob could not wait to get home to play with his "new toy" he had picked up.

Also while Rob had been in Owen Sound someone had gone up to him while sitting in his Cab, and gave him a Tim Horton's Gift Card, telling him for Cindy & him to have a Merry Christmas.  When he called me he had not known who it was and said it was some lady with a guy who had red hair.  Hahaha ... I had put it out on my Facebook page, finding out it was my friend, Linda & her hubby, Mike.  The funny part about this is that Mike doesn't have red hair, he has NO Hair !!  Rob had to be hallucinating, or now says maybe the guy had on a red hat.  Made our day for having the laugh at my dear Rob's expense.

It was late when I got going on making Dinner for us, as well as cooking up some Mushroom I had gotten on special.  Cooked up and put them into the freezer for soups and stews later on.

Sticking to "bland" foods I made up a Turkey Burger for myself, Sirloin Burgers for Rob, along with White Rice and Steamed Broccoli.  It was good.

Almost right when Dinner was ready to put on the table Rob got called to go out.  Murphy's Law.  I could not wait much longer for him, so I had mine and heated his up just now, as he returned home at 8:00 pm.

I have many favourite Christmas Carols I LOVE, however this is one I have always really enjoyed ...

What Child Is This ?

What is your favourite Christmas Carol?  there are so many beautiful and fun ones to choose from.

My Crabby Cabbie has left again for work.  I am going to let our Aussies out for their last outing of the day, then call it a night myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

It Never Goes Away That ****

"A Vicious Circle that Never Ends !"

I believe I will never in this lifetime, ever have my whole house clean at one time.  I am always behind with something or another.  Really I wish those dust bunnies could put themselves "on hold" while I am out and about trying to enjoy my life a little bit .... and that whole dog that is constantly floating around on my floors? could he just not get up and walk out the front door himself when Bandit does, with the only difference being that he stays out !  *Sigh* "it never goes away", that housework ... NEVER !

What a beautiful day with the Sun in full force, feeling almost like a warm Indian Summer.  Imagine a whole week of Indian Summer mid-November? would that not be totally "wicked"????  Maybe if I hold my breathe long enough it will happen.

Once I did up a few dishes this morning, I then got going on some Christmas Cards.  I managed to get 15 signed, addressed and stamped.

I also got together a few recipe books I don't use or want any longer to go to the Cookbook exchange/swap I will be attending on the 2nd of December.  I am pretty excited about getting together with a few girls, as I think we will also be making a Christmas Wreath each.  Anyone in the area who would like to join us, please let me know .... as you do know, the more the Merrier and Christmas is just around the corner.  Even if you have Cookbooks you no longer want, bring them along as you are not required to take any back home with you ... can't go, just let me know and I could take your unwanted Cookbooks along with me !  Just email me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca to let me know ahead of time please, or to find out more details about going along.

"Set  here with hopes I do NOT walk by them and forget to put in our Van, along with the Cards to be posted."

Three loads of laundry were done, along with the comforter and shams taken from the bed and hung on the line to "air out".  Vacuuming and dusting (always) done a bit here and there.  It is amazing as an hour later I can look behind me to see more "dust bunnies" and "a hairy dog" still following me around the house.  And around and around and around I go .... where will I end up?  hopefully not in a padded room.  Ha !

I did take a bit of "time out" to check what I am going to make up in the jars I have been collecting the past couple of weeks..  This is one I have been contemplating on doing ...

"Bread in a Bottle.  I sure wish we still had Milk come in glass bottles, like it used to when I was growing up, instead of the now plastic bags or cartons.  I found the idea for this if you should *click* HERE."

I am hoping after I get some MORE housework done tomorrow, I will have a chance to try at least one jar of the Bread in a Bottle, and to check out a couple more different ideas on Pinterest.  Are you on Pinterest? it can be quite addicting you know?  I can be found on Pinterest myself at this link by *clicking* HERE, come join me whenever you might find a minute hours to do so.

One of my blogger friends has been under the weather with a pretty bad virus bug the last few days.  I took a few minutes out of my day to call Lena on the phone to wish her and her family a "speedy" recovery.  Since we had never spoken in person before, I am certain I had also taken her by surprise.  Sickness gets a person down sometimes, so it is always nice to know there is always someone who cares when you are feeling ill and not so cheery with being under the weather, so to speak.

Sometimes it only takes a minute or two to put a little "sunshine" in someone's day..  Have you picked up the phone lately or made someone's day a little brighter lately? even by way of a *smile*?  Try it sometime, as it always seems to make me feel better too when I do so.

I had found a set of tires on one of the Swaps last week that will fit the "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle, and the people were going to be down this way today and stop around with them for us.  They arrived ... I felt terrible !  Here I had misread their ad, thinking it was $50.00 for all four tires (too good to be true, right?) with them actually being $50.00 each !  Well this lady was kind enough to give us a deal of $100.00 for all four of them on the spot.  Thank goodness there are still nice and understanding people out there.  Thanks Lisa ... the funny part is we just had found out too that my Uncle Basil, who is married to my Auntie Gladys, is her first Cousin.  The older I become, the smaller the World seems to be.

The past couple of weeks or so Rob and I haven't seen to much of each other.  This shows I am sure as I haven't really been posting too many dinners, or photos of my Rob lately either.  He is one of my best photo subjects at times you know?

Today he decided he was going to take me out for Dinner.  It almost felt a bit like a "date" as it has been so long since had spent this much time together.

"Off we went, even taking the scenic route on our way to Owen Sound.  These back roads were some Rob used to snow plow when he was a Plow Operator for Georgian Bluffs a couple years ago.  Man oh man that is one of many steep hills on these back roads.  Pretty treacherous according to Rob with some of the Winter months there had been."

"We finally arrived to our favourite Chinese Restaurant, the Twin Dragon in Owen Sound.  My plate was the top one with mostly veggies, fish and chicken on it, with the "piled high" with Chicken Wings one below being Rob's of course.  It was a really nice "treat", having dinner out and being together."

Tomorrow I will be drawing for the Give Away ...

"... for these 3 lovely Vintage Notebooks and 2 lovely Ornaments, and announcing the Winner of all.  Details on the Give Away can be found HERE."

Speaking of a Give Away, if you will notice up in the right hand corner of my Blog there is a Give Away going on over at Sandi's Rose Chintz Cottage.  Just *click* on it to see what wonderful things she has to offer for her Give Away.  Thank you Sandi for also joining me here.

A warm welcome also to 4rya for following my daily roaming and rantings here from time to time.  I do enjoy knowing there are new people in my midst from time to time, and always enjoy the ones who are here daily with me.  Thank you.

I am going to take the opportunity of calling it an "early" night by wrapping things up here, taking my four "Aussies" out and about for their last time today, before I call it a night myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Flowers Made My Day !

Here I am all tired, feeling blogged right out at the moment, barely believing I am almost at a loss for something to say.  This is so unlike "ME", as I am certain all those who know me can testify to this fact.

My day so began ....

"I love mornings like these.  A heavy frost beautified everything it touched with it's shiny glimmer in the early morning light.  Beautiful .... "

I was up before 5:00AM getting my "Crabby Cabbie" a lunch/dinner put together for his day ahead, then attended to all those wonderful "Checkerboard Aussies" needs right after.

Rob and I had a bit of conversation between us this morning, with never finding enough time together these past few weeks or so .... most of our time together has been a few hours together on a Sunday, or on the phone talking to each other.  Strangers in love we have seemingly become.

You can imagine my surprise when I happened to find this morning, tucked in among the Carnations Rob had surprised me with two weekends ago....

"Roses !  A mixed bouquet of roses !!!  Are they not beautiful? as I certainly think them to be."

I called Rob, and he had said, "you have just found them now"?  With my reply being, "no I seen them just before you left, but we had been too busy getting ready for our day and I had forgotten to tell you.  Why did you get me roses?"  His reply was simply, "because I love you."

We might not see each other as often as I would like sometimes, however I take great comfort in knowing how much I am loved.  *Sigh* if every day held such a good feeling in it...   Really is there any reason each day shouldn't hold such a good feeling?  I think not, we just need to dig a bit deeper some days to find one, as I am sure there is always one to be found.

Today being Friday I warmed up my Van with the frost being removed from its windshield and headed it "North of the Checkerboard" to see my Good Doctor for my weekly shot in the arm.  I wonder if my allergies will ever leave me, or if I am doomed to a weekly "shot" in the arm for the rest of my Life?

Before I went to my Doctor's appointment in Lion's Head, I had a quick stop in Fernadale on another matter I had to attend to ....

"Looking for a Summer Cottage Rental to vacation at on the Bruce Peninsula?  Rentcottage.com might be the place to call."

When I did return home from the Doctors I got right to a bit of cleaning of this and that.  Always there is something in the vicious circle of cleaning is there to be done.  Since Rob's gift of "flowers made my day", I spent a little time making myself feel good before beginning anything else by ....

"... spending time arranging and placing them around the house."

I really need to make sure my "Crabby Cabbie" has some good lunch/dinner choices to take with him to work, so I then spent time in the kitchen making sure this was going to happen.

"Out of the freezer came some stew beef that I got to preparing into a Beef Vegetable Soup to switch things up from Chicken for a change."

I actually began with some Campbell's Beef Broth (as I haven't made any of my own for freezer backup lately), when I realized I had purchased some Beef Bouillon from my Epicure party two weeks ago.  I gave it a whirl, along with the usual Beef, onions, celery, carrots and potatoes (dang I forgot my frozen garden peas again!).

Funny thing it just so happened Rob had came home for a wee bit this afternoon for something, just after the soup was finished cooking.  What a nice surprise.  Together we had ourselves a bowl with his comment being "what did you do different, as that was the best Beef Soup you  have ever made".  Well the only difference was the Epicure Beef Bouillon I had used, so this is going to be a usual "keeper" favorite in our home from here on in (sorry Campbells).

"I got the lunch/dinner menu for my "Crabby Cabbie" all put together by way of Homemade Beef Soup, along with a side of Potato & Egg Salad, and a hard boiled egg.  A banana will be the choice of fruit with an Ice Tea drinking box.  That hopefully will give him a nice change up for tomorrow."

With my "Crabby Cabbie" back out the door after a quick lunch with me, I got myself organized a little bit in the way of thinking "Christmas".

"That would be in "Christmas Card" sending.  One of the gals on "Cindy's Recipe Exchange" thought it would be nice we send each other a Christmas Card.  I thought so too and was happy when 14 members signed on to do so.  This I had began giving some thought to this afternoon, along with my usual Christmas Card list."

Speaking of "Cindy's Recipe Exchange" on Facebook, I am pleased to be able to say we are now up to a count of 327 members !  Wowsers! way beyond any of my expectations when this group was first begun 1 1/2 years ago.  For me it has been a great interest on something I enjoy, and really lots of fun.  I have truly met some pretty awesome people within the Recipe Exchange, with new ones seemingly arriving daily.

Not only did my Rob's gift of "flowers make my day" ... there is seldom a day goes past without either one or all of my "Checkerboard Aussies" putting a *smile* on my face.

 "I just have to look out the Patio door to have Buddy put a *smile* on my face this day.  Such a handsome boy he is."

After Buddy and I had our walk together this morning, out, about and around the property, and while I was in cleaning the kennel run, he jumped up on his shelter and started giving me the biggest, and wettest kisses.  Now that makes some days just worth it all !

Today I also received some "Happy Mail" through Post Crossing.

"I received this amazing card from Cologne, Germany."

I love I can travel the World without even leaving my own home.  Post Crossing and the Internet are amazing!

"Don't forget I am offering a Give Away with the draw being on this Monday coming up.  *Click* HERE for details."

Jeez for someone who is tired and all blogged out with nothing to say, I think I managed to blah, blah, blah along just fine after all !  On that note I believe I will go see to my "pack" then relax myself with maybe just a wee bit of TV before I call it a night here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".