Frosted Beauty

I have been awake since 1:30 am, out with our sweet Lexus at 5:30 am, and out the door shortly for a meeting this evening, as Rob holds down the fort.  

Tired and busy, however I so enjoyed the beauty the Frost had painted this morning outside my door.

First thing this morning.

Mid-Morning.

This was overlooking Colpoy's Bay just before Gateway Haven on Frank St. in Wiarton, late morning.

Lexus & I had some "us" time this morning out of doors despite the cold.

... and of course I always need my Checkerboard Aussie puppy fix each day (more then once now I they are weaning and I am cleaning up after them).  

A much better photo of the Festive Five with my camera rather then my Iphone.

From left front to right, Lyric (Blue Merle Female), Izzy (Blue Merle Female), Jax (Black Tri Male), Snickers (Red Tri Female) & Raven (Blue Merle Male).

That is all she wrote, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Bad Days & Good Days

We all have bad days & good days.  We have to make the most of the bad days, as really what else can one do, and besides we are all human and entitled to one here and there, are we not?

My day didn't start out as a bad day, other then I can't seem to get over this heavy fatigue I have been feeling the past while.  So much for those energy pills I bought a few weeks ago.

Once again, I didn't manage to accomplish what I had set out to do.  It seems once I have left the house in the morning I am doomed for the rest of the day.  I have to take my hat off to Rob though as despite him being as tired as he was he still managed to cut all the lawns.  That is a huge job in itself.  Needless to say he was fortunate to have a much needed nap this afternoon.

Of course when it was time to set ourselves down to Corn on the Cob and BBQ'd Garlic Sausage the phone rang and out the door Rob had to go ... dinner had to keep until his return.  Murphy's Law hits again, especially since the phone had not rang all afternoon up until that point.

My neighbour and I did get out for a walk this evening, which really is a good thing since it has been awhile since we have done so.

The bad part was coming home and just sitting down to a cuppa tea when I realized one of my lap top cords had gone under the couch.  The really bad part was when I went to retrieve it by moving the couch I knocked my whole cup of tea flying.  The really really bad part of this day is not only is my neck giving me more grief then it usually does every day, but that I have a headache that goes along with it as well as more pain then I care to have in one sitting.  I was wanting that cuppa tea so bad, and too miserable to be bothered to get myself another after cleaning up that mess !

The Aussies had a much better day then I ....

This is Portia's "I am telling you I didn't do it" look, but then afterwards being caught red pawed in the act of yet another "no no" it being difficult her to deny this one.

Lexus & Portia had some fun while I took laundry off the line.  Afterwards Portia and Bandit just chillpawing together.

Out on our walk we got to go by Rusty's house for a meeting up, a kiss, a pat on the head, then a bit of rough housing.  Rusty is Buddy & Mercedes 1 year old offspring.

I am going to take out the Portia pup then call it a night as I have an extremely busy day ahead of me tomorrow, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Colour ME Pink !

I just finished a Quiz HERE, and my Aura was Pink:

Your Aura is Pink!

Personality: Pink is one of the most interesting auras, yet also the rarest. A pink aura is a mixture of several auras put together. Pink has the bubbly personality of yellow, the passionate attitude of red, orange’s weirdness, and purples gracefulness.Pink Aura people are by nature loving and giving. They love to be loved too. Because of this they gather around them close friends and family at every opportunity. They like to host family events and are very generous of their time. They have a high regard for their health and will look after their bodies with good diet, nutrition and exercise. The Pink Aura individual is a natural healer, highly sensitive to the needs of others and has strong psychic abilities. They also have very creative ideas and strong imaginations. Because of these personality traits the Pink Aura person makes great writers of novels, poetry or song lyrics.The Pink Aura individual hates injustice, poverty and conflicts. They strive always to make the world a better place and will make personal sacrifices in the pursuit of this ideal. Pink Aura people are strong willed and highly disciplined and will expect high standards from others. They have strong values and morals and seldom deviate from them. Because of their honesty and likable nature they are valued as employees but also make excellent employers because of their sense of fairness.Pink is one of the coolest auras out there….you are very lucky! 

Love Life:  Pink Aura people are very romantic and once they have found their soul mate will stay faithful, loving and loyal for life. .

I believe my Aura suited me just fine, and my Love Life couldn't have been further from the truth.  Right Rob?  

I also just recently viewed a video I thoroughly enjoyed, awed at the beauty of the Red Fox at the same time of being amazed.  Thought I would share this as well for any who have not had the opportunity to come across it yet:

Pretty cool was it not?   I also am impressed with the person(s) who set these types of documentaries up as well.  

Something else I was to learn about today was the Sequel to the Hobbit will be out in Theatres this December.  I am SO EXCITED !!!  I told Rob, and he said he wasn't allowed to go.  Why is Rob not allowed? because he spent at least $30.00 on one pop and one bag of popcorn at the first sequel we went to see in January !  Highway Robbery it is.  

No worries honey, we will just make certain you have yourself a good filling meal before we go see the Sequel.  Check it out .... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1170358/

It is playing in Owen Sound on the 12th of December, details HERE.  It is a Thursday night, and Rob is usually too tired or too busy, but maybe he will make an exception and have a Date night with me, I just know he will.

On to the day at hand.  Rob was out on a Taxi Run this afternoon, and I had to go meet up part way with him.

The plows were winging back the Highway, it was a crisp cold, but sunny day, and I took along some company with me.

Lexus has to be the very best travelling companion of all four of our Aussies.  Since she first came home and was set beside me in a vehicle she just "sat" nicely and went along for the ride.  She was happy to look over and recognize it was our Rob we were meeting up with.

Bandit is a good traveller, unless he sees something and barks, also barking at people when we are parked.  Mercedes isn't too bad, but still jumps around quite a bit, and Buddy? well his is just a Mad Dog jumping all over the vehicle, so he gets a lead attached to him and really enjoys going along for a ride.

When we returned home everyone of the Aussies were settled back in while I thought about something being prepared for our Dinner.

I had taken a Pork Loin out of the freezer earlier, so this is what it was going to be today.  I first made a Rub for it before placing it into the Crock Pot to be slow cooked.  I just lifted the lid to have a close up look at it as it shows in the picture to the right, and the smell that came out was very appealing to my senses.

The Rub I put together was as follows:

1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Cayenne (powdered)
1 tsp Onion Salt (dehydrated)
1/2 tsp Thyme

I will have to post tomorrow on how we liked it, as I just threw it together at the last moment not giving it too much thought at the time.

The remainder of my afternoon was spent not doing much of anything, but I did vacuum the couch real good, as it had been bugging me that it had needed done.  A "I NEED to DO" project it was.  Lots to do but tomorrow is another day.

I was happy happy that Elizabeth emailed me a photo of the five kids later today as well.  They had put up the Christmas tree today !

Briar, Josh, Connor, Aiden & Chloe.  5 Christmas Hams by the look of how they are all having fun.  And for the final Ham ....

Here is our Boy, Paul !  We really do love this big Ham. xx

Truly I am so grateful that I get photos sent to me on a pretty much regular basis, or when I ask, as this is something I didn't get too much before.  It is especially nice since I do not see them as often as I used to at one time, with Aiden spending more time in past years with me, and most recently both Aiden and Connor. 

Thanks Elizabeth !! xx

Oh yes I almost forgot, I just finished watching Santa Claus with his Reindeer, you might like to see them too?  Just go HERE to do so.

The potatoes are almost cooked, and the slow cooked pork loin is smelling really good.  Dinner time isn't to far off now, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Mental Disorders? Friends?

I have been finding there is a lot of truth to the above when it comes to some of my friends lately.  Remember the photo I posted of myself yesterday with the hat I absolutely LOVE and was so happy to receive from my friend Toni with an "i"?  well she has herself a husband, by the name of Bob, (who apparently we recently found out is somehow related to me through marriage somehow) who has some kind of disorder.  I will let a few others then myself be the judge of what type of disorder it might be once they view the following photos he was posting last evening on Facebook:

Apparently I have gone from enjoying taking photos to promoting pickles, and then onto promoting Bob's favourite food in the World.  This is nothing, the one that takes the whole Enchilada is ....

... when Toni emailed me this one this morning.  Now this I am really really afraid to "caption".  

Not only am I afraid to "caption" the above, I am wondering if I should be more afraid of my friends having more serious mental issues then myself.  It is a scary World I live in some days ...

Now back to more serious things like the day I just had myself, right?  Ha ! that would almost bore anyone to tears I am certain.

Truly this was most of the day, as it has been the last few days.  Am I happy about these rainy days? you darn tootin' I am, as it not Snow (but there have been lots of rumblings about that appearing later this week, so I have been hearing through the grapevine).

Other then having to go out once this day to cover for our Wiarton driver, my day mostly consisted of ....

.... The "Crabby Cabbie" book work.  See, Bandit wasn't even impressed about it today.  But really I am happy happy happy, as I plowed through it all and finished the remaining two months that needed doing !!!  

Truly there is Life After Book Work ....

With there only being a slight drizzle I took out the Aussies, one by one, to enjoy the last few remains of the gardens.

Lexus, as does Mercedes as well, always enjoy the Bounties of the Garden.  The look of satisfaction is difficult not to notice all over Lexus' face, is it not?

Rob did not arrive home until well after 6:00 pm this evening, which was just as well since I did not get the last of the paperwork done up until very late afternoon.  Dinner this evening? my old reliable "stand-by" of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast was cooked and served up this evening.

Truly I am feeling much better with that book work out of the way (until next time), making me wonder why do I procrastinate so badly on such things, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

I Do LOVE My Girls

Last night was, once again, not a very restful night of sleep for me.  Regardless I laid in bed until there was a grey light outside our bedroom window.  Finally, it was just before 6 am.  I got up.

Rob got up shortly after I did.  We had a coffee, then he headed down the highway with his "Crabby Cabbie" hat on by 6:30 am.  I got dressed then proceeded downstairs for my morning routine with Lexus, Mercedes and Buddy.  What I found to greet me this morning was one of those things you would much rather be happening to someone else.

My Facebook status included the photo of Mercedes with the "grin" and the following caption:

"Please do not laugh at my expense ... oh go ahead, as we all could use a good laugh whether it is at me or someone else.   Mercedes is due to have her litter of pups any day now. The pressure has been so extreme for her, she could not wait to be let out, whatever time through the night this happened. I have a very huge, not very solid mess to clean up before I do anything else to start my day ... phewie !!! I am having a coffee first before I attempt the dreaded mess. Show of hands who might like to come to help with a pail of hot water and vinegar ???? For the love of my Aussies xx"

Hahahaha ... you can well imagine some of the response of support that were commented on this post by my "friends".  One particular comment that stands out was from my friend, Cathy, "What a mess! Sorry about that Cindy, love to help but, er, I'm washing my hair...."   Really what would I do without all my "friends"?

I was grateful it was a lovely morning with the Sun out in full force and no sign of rain.  

Once I had take Mercedes on her morning out and about, I put her in the outside kennel run, took everyone for their morning jaunt then resolved myself to tackling the "mess".  Yes Lynn, the dustpan was a big help, as was the big pail of hot water and scrub brush.

"Here is my little Missy Mercedes all happy, loving and grateful for me to being such a wonderful Mama."

 Since I was already hard at it in the basement I thought I might as well get started on the rest of it.  I equipped myself with the Shop Vac and broom and got right at it.  With a load of laundry washed and hung out as well, I think I finished up just before the Lunch Hour.

"Lexus is such a pretty girl.  She watched on while I was busy doing the stairway."

Yes, regardless of the many ups and downs, or messes, I do LOVE my girls, as they have given me much joy and amusement from the first day each of them came home with us.  Unique and quirky, each in their own special ways.

Since I knew I was going to "tuckered" out by the time Dinner time rolled around, I put some Sirloin steaks into the Slow Cooker on top of Carrots, and topped with a sprinkle of Montreal Steak Spice, a couple of dashes of Worcestershire Sauce and Soya, then a layer of sliced onions.

"With some potatoes boiled to serve on the side, Dinner was ready to sit down to by the time Rob arrived back home.  Easy Peasy as 1-2-3 and Very Good !"

Rob had been so tired yesterday afternoon, since he had not gotten home until 3:30 am, I didn't have the heart to not let him sleep and do the job we had planned on doing.  It was all good, as after Dinner tonight we got to it.

"We had been fortunate enough to get a small end piece of flooring last week from an installer.  We were able to cut 2 pieces the size of the whelping box, putting one away for another time.   The metal edger strips were not so "cheap", costing $15.00 for 2 small pieces."

Before I helped Rob by cutting the pieces out, I took Mercedes out for a wee run.  She had just "squatted" down when a pair of sparrow flitted onto the ground right in front of her, and "snap" she had one in her mouth.  That little sparrow never had a chance.  It took me some time, but she finally dropped it and Rob disposed of it later.  Oh man I really didn't have a good time with witnessing this, even though this is life as it is.

"The flooring installed it got the "once over" from Mercedes.  I am hoping it will work out very well for all of us concerned, being Mercedes for delivering, and me for cleaning."

Pssst .... I know I am a pain, but until the 6th of May I hope I am a lovable "pain".  Because of YOUR support and daily votes we are now at 314 Votes, 44 more then yesterday.  Many thanks to friends who have also been sharing the link to their own personal Facebook pages, what a wonderful gesture on all your parts. 

Hardly enough when I look at some people's Small Businesses with Votes already in the high hundreds, however I still need to try my best.   Once again, please Vote daily for MY "Crabby Cabbie", until the 6th of May, here is the link:

https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/lolb2desktop?region_id=ca-en&content_id=20580

As always, and forever, Thank YOU !!!  from me and my ....

Serving Saugeen Shores & Area.  

Southampton:  519-373-7700 or Port Elgin:  519-379-7700

More sharing in our communities for this upcoming weekend, so get your calendars back out for tomorrow's post.  

The cuteness "fix" I promised last night can be found HERE.

I am feeling pretty content that I accomplished what I did today.  Lexus, Mercedes and Bandit even got some individual "fetch" time with me this afternoon.  I have to pickup another long lead leash to start working with Buddy on "fetching".... really it has been quite the challenge having a dog that I hadn't raised from a pup.  I would never give him up for the World, however I wish I could have him off leash more..... maybe some day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".