One Of Those Days

It is usually always "one of those days" when you don't sleep most of the night before, is it not?  This is exactly how it was for me this morning.  Mojo? what is that? something to drink?  cause I sure didn't have any of that either.

It doesn't help when the weather is so darn damp and wet.  Anyone with joint ailments or otherwise can testify how that plays havoc on the body.  When out at 6:30 am with the Aussie gang it was rainy and difficult to walk through two inches of wet snow that had accumulated, feeling like I had done a 2 mile marathon first thing.

We are not the only ones in Ontario receiving this wet damp snowy weather.  Accumulations up in the Ottawa Valley, Karen and Paula's way, has been apparently much worse then what we have had here, so I learned through Facebook.  I don't even have to leave my front door to get around to other part of the country.  Look at all that money I don't have I am getting to save !  Whoopee !!!

The "Crabby Cabbie" books had to be finished up today, so I tackled them, always striving to get the worse out of the way first.  Of course before anything was begun, our bed had to be made.  I finally got the books out of the way just before lunch time.

I was apparently not the only one today who was feeling a little beyond sleepy .... as there had been a whole bunch of sleeping going around within all different parts of the house today.

There is always a little brightness in a person's day when they get HAPPY MAIL.  My friend Toni with an "i" , had before Christmas pointed out to me a Mars Canada Inc. Promotion on Facebook.  We entered to qualify for a FREE pair of Mitts with the Canada Flag knitted into them. Alas there had been a glitch in the Instant Win Prize notifications and the mitts had all been spoken for.  Overlooking this error on the system, Mars Canada contacted everyone who did not qualify for the mitts to let them know they would ensure the integrity of the Promotion would be maintained by sending each and every entry product coupons valued at $7.50.

"I received 5 Coupons for Free Mars products today.  Way to go Mars Canada ! on handling a situation and still making people happy."

I am sorry to say Pedigree Canada did not step up to the plate as well as Mars Canada by any means.  After blogging about their decrease in quantity of dog food with prices not reflecting same HERE, I had posted the question to them on their Facebook page.  This is the response I received from them, along with everyone else's concern there about the same matter:

Hi Cindy, thanks for your message. We very much appreciate you taking the time to contact us about this. As you’re aware, the new PEDIGREE® Vitality +™ food for dogs is a top quality product made with only the best ingredients. We've seen a rise in cost for both the raw ingredients and transportation; something that’s been a challenge for most of the petfood industry this year.

In the face of such rising costs, we had 2 choices: keeping the bags the same size and raising the price significantly, or reducing the size of the bags so that the price can stay in the same range. Most consumers preferred the lower price as well as the convenience of having smaller bags to carry.

Thanks again for your feedback – it’s extremely important to us and it will be forwarded to our PEDIGREE® brand department for review.


Wasn't that a nice "copy & paste" way of dealing with a problem rather then on an individual basis for each complain posted to their page.  Smaller bags, with no lower price attached though !

I have used Pedigree Dog Foods for 25 years plus, always recommending it to anyone who had ever purchased a puppy from me.  This will be the case no longer, as I am on the search for a new brand of dog food that will satisfy my dogs requirements, as well as my budget.

Oh yes, they suggested I buy newspapers to see if there were coupons in there at any given time for their products.  Wow that would really be a further gain in the savings department for me after purchasing how many newspapers before I found a $1.00 off coupon?  Silly people.

Today I had decided I was going to try my hand at making Shepherd's Pie in the Slow Cooker since I had leftover gravey in the fridge to be used up.

"I first got started with the potatoes, carrots and onions needing peeled and boiled.  Then it went onto stirring the gravey into the browned beef and garlic, with the cooked veggies along with a pot of Knorr Beef Bouillon next, then the frozen peas that had been produced in our very own Vegetable Garden last Summer."

"With the meat mixture thoroughly mixed, heated, then put in the bottom of the Slow Cooker, it was time to mash the potatoes and milk to top everything off with."

"Two hours later it was steamy hot and plated to be enjoyed.  Enjoyed it was with me being pleased at my very first time making Shepherd's Pie in a Slow Cooker."

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

I am happy to say I received a lovely comment on my post of yesterday from my Secret Sister, Susan of The Food Allergy Chronicles.  I am delighted you were pleased with your Secret Sister Gift, Susan.  It really is fun surprising and giving to another, especially to a Secret Sister !

I absolutely know I am going to have myself an early night with high hopes of a full nights sleep ahead of me, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Out & About Having FUN !!!

Feeling much better and back to my old (heavy on the old) self today, I was up and at it first thing this morning out, about and in with our "Checkerboard Aussies" in the dampness and pouring rain.  Since being down and out of commission the past couple of days, it didn't take much for things to get to be a real mess around here in the housework department, especially since I had made another huge mess in the kitchen canning down the rest of the tomatoes Yesterday ....

What to do, what to do ????  What I did do was got myself dressed, turned my back on it all and walked on out the door ....

"My "Crabby Cabbie" wasn't even paying any mind to me this morning, so even more reason to be out the door !  Ha ! that will teach him ... "

Hehehe .... not really, as we had our coffee together and pretty much went out the door about the same time as each other.  Rob gone off to do what he does best by being the "Crabby Cabbie" on down to Saugeen Shores, as I headed on over to meet up with my friend, Toni with an "i" over in Owen Sound.

Toni and I met up to go together to the Georgian Shores United Church for the Harvest Craft & Vendor Event that had been going on over there today.

"Greeted by the "Help Shut the Lid On Cancer" Pink Toilet as soon as we walked through the door.  Special thanks to Margie Doman for all her efforts of getting the Pink Toilet placed at this Event."

"This would be Margie Doman, Heaven Scent Natural Products Representative.  To learn more about these "natural" products or to order, please contact Margie by calling 519-376-5685."

"The Christmas Spirit was in the air ... "

"That there big smile coming back at us is from Dale herself.  How could you ever go wrong with gift giving with Aunt Dale's Preserves and Pies.  Place an order anytime by calling Dale at 519-371-6004."

"This lady here I already had the pleasure of meeting and sampling her wares this past Summer at the Canada Day Events going on at Wiarton's Bluewater Park.  She makes a mean Pecan Butter Tart "Let Me Tell the World".  This is Cathy of Cathy's Confections, Unique, Homemade Chocolates & Treats.  Special orders can be placed anytime by giving Cathy herself a call at 519-934-1351.  Trust me, you will not be disappointed."

"Shhh...don't be telling my "Crabby Cabbie" but I bought him this Peanut Butter Chocolate covered apple from Cathy for him.  His Mother used to make Candy Apples, so I wanted to "treat" him."

"Look here, this is one of my favourite people ...  Abby Miners of Miners Maple Products showing off her "sweet" stuff to my friend Toni.  Really now should you ever come by any of Miners Maple Products you need to be sure to BUY the Maple Chipolte BBQ Sauce, it is "wicked" good and the very best according to my "Crabby Cabby" guy.  Year Round ordering can be done by calling Abby or Russel Miner at 519-376-7907.  Another great idea for gift giving you might not have thought of before?"

"A Scentsy display was also there .. awesome looking things to purchase.  Unfortunately both Toni and I are sensitive to certain scents so we could not linger too long here.  I could not help by stop to look at those sweet gift giving ideas for children though.  Surely you would be interested yourself by contacting Katie Fry at 519-376-4756 or checking out her web link by *clicking* HERE."

"Have a Bow Wow?  There were gift ideas there for him or her too.  Margie had even bought a new fleece coat for her Pugsy I had noticed." 

"A New Face in Town?  this would be "Jandi Gunn Designs".  Unique, comfortable and Chic ... Jandi's Designs can be found on her Facebook Page by clicking HERE or by calling 519-378-3735 and/or by Email:  jandig.designs@gmail.com ."

"Norwex products are a line which is safe for our environment/health and lasts forever.  Interested in both? please contact Rep. Sharon Martin by clicking HERE."

"I could have spent lots of time listening to this lady explain about her products.  Why would that be? cause I LOVE cooking and baking and this was a Pampered Chef display !!!   Need to know more? please contact Pampered Chef Rep. Carolyn Marritt at 519-370-2244 or visit www.pamperedchef.biz/cjm ."

"I can't believe how many wonderful people that I LOVE to see where there.  This is Kris Dawson's booth.  Kris is a Representative of Epicure Products.  I was at a Epicure Party at a friend's  place not too long ago where Kris was the Hostess.  To see how much fun it had been just go HERE."

"Loving yourself some All Natural Honey? then contact Melody and Martin at beemartindonald@gmail.com "

"Is this not a beautiful Handmade Angel?  Custom orders for these Angels can be made by contacting Toni Vary at plooyf1@hotmail.com "

"Rag Quilts N' Things by Barb.  Reasonable prices and Homemade are all of Barb's items.  Both Toni and I bought gift giving items from Barb.  Nice thing about this for me is Barb lives in Wiarton for any other gift giving needs I might have.  Lots of  Homemade Gifts from Barb, just give her a call at 519-534-4453."

"This lady here is Shirley McDougall.  Shirley is a Certified Body Talk Practitioner.  Need to learn more on Body Talk?  Contact Shirley herself at 519-371-4082 or by Email:  shirlmc@bmts.com .  Also on the 11th of November there is a Seminar coming up as well at the McQuay Tannery Senior's Center in Owen Sound.  Call Shirley for further details please."

"I think I could have spent way more time here at the "Woolies" booth then I had.  I really hope to be able to again come by meeting Bonnie in my travels somewhere down the line.  How could anyone go wrong with a motto such as "Go Natural, Avoid Chemicals, Buy Local"?  Bonnie's "Woolie" products and crafts were and are totally amazing !   There will be an "Open House" at Woolies in the Country on the 9th & 10th of November.  For further information please contact Bonnie by calling 519-376-5681 or by email wooliesinthecountry@gmail.com "

I could have stayed much longer at this Event then we had, but you know ... things to do, people to see, and coffee at Timmies with Toni before I carried on with the rest of my day.

I set out to get the remainder of gift purchases for the Secret Sister box I was getting together.  Mission accomplished !  I am so happy and really really pleased with all the gifts I have for my Secret Sister, with hopes she will be as equally happy when she receives it in the mail.

My last stop of the day was at the Christmas store located in the The Fireplace at Springmount just outside of Owen Sound on my way back home.  Can't yet share my purchases until my Secret Sister receives her gift box, as I wouldn't know or not if she reads my blog???

"However I can share what I bought myself there to go on our Buffet Sideboard for Christmas.  These two Tea Light candle holders with a regular price of $16.95 each on them for a Grand Total of .... can you take a "Wild" guess?"

... if you had guessed 50 cents each you would have been right.  Can you believe I "scored" again? as I can barely believe it myself !

Another little Christmas idea I would like to share is one I came across on Pinterest.  Check it out HERE .  Who wouldn't love Bath Salts? they are so soothing, as well as adding to the relaxing effect of a nice long luxurious bath.  Think I just might be making myself some of this .....

"When looking out our patio door late this afternoon, I realized Buddy had company who had came around for a swim in his water dish.  Umm... must have been attracted to the "pink" watering hole.  Hahaha .... "

Wow that was most certainly another fun filled full day I had myself again "out & about having fun".  I enjoyed myself so much, I really don't think I regretted it one iota, even when I walked back  into my "upside down turned around household".

Tomorrow is another day, can anyone guess what I will be up to, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".