A Little Behind

I have been a little behind on blog posts lately, okay you got me, I have been a lot behind !  Good reasons though as I have had a Family Reunion, my daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and a best friend all visit us last week, and I feel I have been just darn busy.

I had a one month follow-up appointment with my Doctor yesterday.  I have lost 20 pounds since February (oh it is soooooo slow coming off).  He is very happy with the progress I am making, and have made, telling me I am a *star* patient (now that makes one feel pretty good, even at the best of times).

I feel after years of being on a roller coaster ride, I have been given my life back, and most days it feels really damn good.  I still experience small bouts of anxiety, however have not had a "full blown" anxiety attack since I have been on the new medication of mood stabilizer, Lamotrigine.  I could resent the fact I was not diagnosed until this late in life, but why do that when we can only move forward, and this I believe I am now doing in a better frame of mind.  I still have "bad" days, but everyone does so I would never expect to be an exception to the rule, even though I am sure I would kinda like not have any "bad" days ... *smile*.

I barely got any photos at this year's Masterson Reunion, however I had no problem getting my Uncle Reg to pose for me.

Here you go Uncle Reg, your honorary mention ! xo

From left to right, Briar, Chloe, Liz, Aiden & Connor.  They had a great time staying with us and got to spend two glorious weather days at Sauble Beach.  The Tuesday evening Poppa & I took them all to see Ice Age at the Drive-in movie in Owen Sound.  Precious memories in the making it was.

For the past month I have been walking early in the mornings, trying to be out of the house before six a.m., as it is cooler and I love trying to "catch" the sunrises.  My girlfriend, Shannon, went one morning with me, since I was not to take her photo, I have shared a photo of the view I am blessed with each morning I walk.

That was pretty much my last week in a nutshell, or should I say the "highlights" of it, as there was lots more then just this going on I am sure ... you know, the usual housework, meetings, Aussies, etc...

Speaking of Aussies, here are a couple of "fun" photos of two our our Aussies:

Bandit is pictured here with our rescue kitty, Paisley, who we acquired at the end of June.  His look is one of "really, you are going to leave me alone with "it" again!".  Never a dull moment with a kitten in the household.  Rob and I have never had a kitten before, as in the past we have adopted older cats, our one living until she was 15 years old.

This is a very rare photo of Portia in Paisley's bed, and Bandit is his, as Paisley usually monopolizes the "big" bed all to herself.

The other day I captured a great video of Paisley and Portia playing together, which can be viewed on The Checkerboard Aussies' Facebook page, by *clicking* HERE, and scrolling a bit down in the newsfeed.  Like I said, never a dull moment usually at our house.

Tomorrow afternoon I head into the Owen Sound Hospital for the "dreaded" mammogram.  Unfortunately it is a very necessary thing to have done, and because of my Mother, her sister, and both my sisters having had cancer, it is really important for me to go to my yearly appointments.  After the experience with my Mom having one at 80 years old to find she had aggressive breast cancer.  Yes you are never too old to have a mammogram !

After my appointment I am heading down to New Hamburg to my son & daughter-in-laws.  We have a friend getting married Saturday.  Rob has to stay behind to "hold down the fort" so to speak, and look after the Aussies and kitteh.  I have offered to take photos at the wedding, should they not have anyone else.  This offer was readily accepted so I hope I can manage to take a few nice photos for them.

Well I think I have managed to catch up with myself, so this is all she wrote this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Truly Blessed

It wasn't only a month a go or so that I had ran into my friend, Diana, who I used to volunteer with when I was part of the VON SMART Exercise Program a couple of years ago.  Diana share with me about her Niece, who resides in Scotland, telling me that she had Bi-Polar and had also suffered for years.

Diana told me her niece, Angela, had written a book and when they were going to go back across the Pond she was going to get a copy of the book for me.  Well..... this past weekend in pulls Diana and her husband, Alex.  She had sent for the book and had it mailed over here for me !!!  Yes, I am truly blessed with wonderful caring friends and family.

Angela's book gives her personal experiences first-hand through her writings and poetry.  Can You Hear Me Now? is available online by *clicking* HERE.

Thank you Diana ! now the holiday weekend is behind me I can now take some time every day and begin digging in to reading Angela's book, Can You Hear Me Now? Finding My Voice in a System That Stole It.

I can somewhat relate to Angela in the respect of finding healing in her writings, as I know blogging these past years have been therapeutic for me at times, plus it gives me something to look back on where I was at certain times in my life.  How do you reflect back on your life? do you keep a journal? photo albums? scrapbooks? 

I am certain I have mentioned before how hard our well water is.  There is iron and magnesium in it, and not sure what else.  Even with a Water Softener it still isn't as soft as I think it should be.  We have sent a sample of water away to determine exactly what is in it and what system we can purchase to take some of the minerals out of it.

In the meantime our bathroom still needs cleaned of the rust stains the well water leaves behind, and this is how I combat it.  Never the most pleasant task to be done in the house.

Cleaning the bathroom is not on the top of my list of the most favourite things that I want to do, however someone has to do the "dirty work" and my name got picked for the job !  

Even though my feet are very bruised from all the walking I have been doing the past couple of weeks, I never tire of the view on my very early morning walks ..... this morning was no exception.  I do love sunsets, but I also LOVE the sunises I am so fortunate to witness most mornings.

Temperatures have been sky high this Summer, with very little rain here.  We have been trying to stay cool by running our little window air conditioner on the cheap hydro times which is from 7 pm until 7 am each day.  Other then that we keep our ceiling fans going constantly to keep the air flow, and our windows all closed up to keep the heat OUT where it belongs.  Sleeping hasn't been too bad, as there has been a couple of nasty nights, however nothing we can't live with.  I do NOT want to complain as I am NOT a Winter person, so Spring, Summer & Fall suits me just fine.

It really is a bonus when we go out in our vehicles, as of course they are air conditioned ! and out on the motorcycle is even better if we ever find ourselves any time to do so.

How do you "beat the heat"?

I had some "happy" mail today from my blogger friend, Lynn.  We have been exchanging note via snail mail the past couple of months (thanks for initiating Lynn), which has been fun to get.  Lynn has a Foodie Blog that you may find & enjoy by *clicking* HERE.

I don't think I can ever say enough, "I am truly blessed with such great friends and family members, who most certainly know who they are.  Thank you xo

Not much more to say this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Another Stellar Morning

The sunrises this week have been anything but AMAZING !!!

Another stellar morning here Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

This shot was taken shortly after over at Speedway Road by Sauble Beach.  The clouds are billowy with shots of sunshine coming through.

Last night I had called my oldest sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Cecil.

The friend they are presently living with, Brenda, shared these photos on her facebook page for me.  Cecil had been actually speaking to me on the phone when she took the photo.

Jeanne & Cecil had moved back to Ontario for a Year, however late this Spring moved back down to Newfoundland, Cecil's home Province.  Maybe in the Spring they will move back to Ontario; time will tell.  As long as they are happy wherever they are is all that counts.

My sister Donna's husband has been in the hospital for the past week with a "weak" heart, and water on his lungs,  He had an angiogram today to check for any blockages, however it proved there were not any.  Good news, however he will have to remain on heart medications the remainder of his Life, more then likely having to give up long haul truck driving.

It has been a tough year for both my sisters.  Donna was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer this February, finishing up some heavy duty Chemo and Radiation just over a month ago now.  Cancer runs on my Mother's side of the family with herself having a breast removed at 80 years of age, and her own sister having both breasts removed in her 50's.

Donna will be going for genetic testing February 2016, which will give myself and her 2 daughters some future insight.  We will wait and see.

Jeanne's husband has problems with circulation in his legs, as well as problems with his heart.  He just recently had his driver's license revoked, and Jeanne had hers taken when she had her stroke.  It is difficult when one has health issues that takes away independence, is it not?

Us girls have had quite the Year, with prayers 2016 will be better for all of us.

My day was full,  Too full, however I had a totally relaxing 1 hour of light therapy, zoned out completely.  What got done at home? dishes and the bed made, not a thing more.  That is okay, as there is tomorrow behind hopefully behind another stellar morning, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Beauty Of The Morning

Just before 7 am, when I walked back into the dining room towards the wood stove something caught my eye outside the window .... I found my camera, hurried to get into my jacket and I was out the door, as I did not want to miss ...

"... the Beauty of the Morning."

It took my breath away with its beauty.  Absolutely stunning it was.  It never last too long; how blessed was I to have been able to take it all in.  I pray it is a sign for better days ahead.

The "Checkerboard Aussies" all taken care of and the bed made, before I headed North of the Checkerboard to my weekly appointment with the Good Doctor Loney for the hour of 9 am.

My appointment this day went well being the allergy shot didn't hurt too much, and my blood pressure was down from last week.  Both very good in my books.  I am being sent for more x-rays on my neck.  For those who know me, know I suffer from Degenerative Disc Disease in my neck which 4 years ago was diagnosed with being Moderate to Severe, making for lots of pain and discomfort some days more then others, hence part of the reason for my headaches, the reason I do not knit or read rarely anymore  The neck pain is just one more thing that has slowed me down from life as I used to know it at 150 miles per hour, along with the Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Four years ago I had seen the Head  Orthopedic Surgeon at the Barrie Hospital.  After the consultation with him, with the MRI results of my neck removed, his personal examination and a discussion in length how and what I felt, his conclusion was I would no longer be able work at regular employment, suggesting I do not subject myself to repetitive activities, however also not recommending surgery as I was way too young and the outcome of  surgery could worsen my condition.

Dr. Loney has first ordered an x-ray before anything else, to see if this will show up anything to be worse then it was when I last had x-rays two years ago March 2nd after being in a car accident, wherein my vehicle flipped three or more times after hitting black ice.  I remember the attending Doctor at Emergency at that time asking me if I realized how bad my neck was, wherein I panicked thinking the accident had caused more damage to it ... a second x-ray at that time had been taken to make sure it had not.

I am pleased to say, Dr. Loney is pretty much "on top" of these things if there have been "red flags" put up.  My "red flags" have been that I have been experiencing absolutely no feeling from my neck down into both arms at times, since just before Christmas, to the point I have felt paralysed, sitting unable to move with a fearful feeling until it passed.  I feel very scared when this happens.

X-rays should be done next week, with it really not being too long until it is determined what the next "plan of action" will be from there on in.  In the meantime he has prescribed a different type of pain medication to see if this gives me more relief then what I have been taking.  I am confident it will be all sorted out in no time.

This is the reason why some days I get less done then other days ... oh for the days when I could do up our house and almost turn cartwheels at the same time.  Ha !

Truly though I am happy for what I do have more then naught,  which is countless blessings even though some days I get weighed down by other obstacles.

Really now, how could I feel down when the day began and touched me with such beauty?

The Chicken Stock I had made the other day needed packaged up and put into the, now working again, freezer.

On to the rest of my day ....

"I took a clean tea towel to strain sentiment and fat from the stock.  Look how rich and dark it is, as  I used a bright red onion along with the goodness of other vegetables when making the stock.  Seven containers there were for the freezer.  I can't wait until I need to make up a Homemade Chicken Soup to try it out... yummy."

"It was cold today but not overly for these two youngsters to be out romping together.  Buddy just turned two, and Missy Mercedes 18 months, it is good for them to play and wear themselves out with each other.  Trust me they both sleep very well at night, with not a peep from either of them."

I received mail this day from young Nathan Reynolds-Furry, who had been visiting last month from Yass, Australia.  Nathan does an article for the local newspaper, the Yass Tribune.

"Nathan was kind enough to mail me two articles he had wrote for the paper.  One was on corresponding with another as a Pen pal, touching on my relationship/contact with my friend, John Daley, who is now passed on from this World, and the other was based on his trip to Canada.  Very good Nathan, thank you for sharing with me."

For those who know me, know how much I love Easy Peasy as 1-2-3, with my Slow Cooker being one of my most favourite small appliances.  I first began my love relationship with my slow cooker when I had went back to College for a Computer for Business Course (at least 16 years ago now I would think), when homework was piled high and good meals needed to be easy and good.  The Slow cooker gave me both with a great meal all ready at the end of a long day.

"Dinner could not be made easier then this."

There is never a day I do not have myself some ....

" Puppy Love "

... for at least 5 more weeks !

I would love to welcome my newest follower, this being Kristen of About a Girl, who lives in Winnipeg, Canada.  I have already dropped over at Kristin's blog and know I am going to love following her too, as she loves to take pictures.  I do love picture taking as they tell such wonderful stories, do they not?  Thanks for the follow Kristin !!!

Oh my "Crabby Cabbie" Rob?  he is hard at work trying to chisel a living out of life for us.  I do love him dearly for that.  In-between he did manage to enjoy the wonderful Slow cooked Roast Beef dinner I had made for him.

I think that pretty sums up the day I have had myself, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

There & Back Home Again

Some mornings arrive earlier then we want them to arrive some days.  Mine arrived at 2:00 am.  Not sure if it was in anticipation of the Road Trip we were taking this day or not, but what I do know not is that I am very tired with a capital "T" at the moment, as is Rob.

It was not only very early, it was also very dark when we left our home North of Wiarton when we headed South down the highway. 

" Then morning broke ..... "

" .... and it was beautiful. "

We had a couple of meetings this day down in the Kitchener-Waterloo area where I lived for 20+ years of my life.  Our Son, Paul, lives in New Hamburg now, Rob's old stomping grounds when he was young, as he was raised on his parent's farm just outside of New Dundee.  

The countryside in Waterloo Region and areas are beautiful.

After our first meeting when we had first arrived in K-W, we then headed out to meet up with Paul.

"We met at the Old Country Restaurant in New Hamburg for breakfast.  Yep there are the two Men in my life, the "smokers" and yes that is shorts my boy Paul is wearing and yes that is snow on the ground.  Brrr ... that really gives a new meaning to "cool" I suppose."

We had some time to put in before our early afternoon meeting.  I had been planning some time to go to the Costco Store as I had a list started for there months ago, since we seldom get down to the City.  We also had the girls with us, as we don't like leaving them so long behind at home.  Since the PetSmart is very close to the Costco store, and Missy Mercedes just happened to need a new collar we stopped there first.

"Lexus got to go in with us, as we had only brought one lead along.  She went up the whole raw hide bone aisle stopping at the end to pick out the "smallest" bone in the row."

"We also got Missy Mercedes a bone too, but what I got from her was a "look" of "why didn't I get to go in too" .  Oh those eyes of hers looking into mine .... "

I was surprised to find out this PetSmart location will be closing at the end of this month after 16 years.  The girl had told me with the other locations in the area this one wasn't as busy as it had been, and with the Lease coming due they had decided it would be closing.  I was surprised with the Costco right there that it hadn't remained busy.

"Then it was follow the leader as we followed behind Paul over to the Costco store.  There sure is lots to look at in this big box store.  Check out the outside dog kennel ... nice, but again so was the price tag of close to $400.00.  Rows of cookbooks ... it is okay, I was strong and kept going !  Then there was that "kid" with shorts again !!! "

We had a really good day together the three of us.  I was happy my two men didn't gang up on me too much for a change ... *smile*, nor did I "bug" either of them too much on the same token.  Once our time with each other was done, we said our "goodbyes" to Paul and made our way back home bound towards the North.

"We first had to stop by where our home was in Woolwich Twp. on the Woolwich/Waterloo Twp. line.  Lots of memories driving down this hill and past the pond."

"This was the home we had built ourselves overlooking the Grand River.  Down the hill was our barn on the River flats of the Grand River.  I miss this home we built, but do not miss the City having grown so much that it was almost on top of us."

"The Mennonite School up the road from where we lived, our friend, Amsey's Dairy Farm, and the Sugar Shack where just beyond we used to ride our horse down by the Conestogo River back to where the Grand River both met."

It was unfortunate we had been so busy this trip that we didn't have time to drop in for a visit with my Sister, nor Rob's Sister, as we were "there & back home again".  Another time it will have to be .... hopefully not too far off into the future.

I would like to welcome my newest followers here on my every day journey, and some time ramblings.  Welcome to Terri of Artful Affirmations, and to Wanda Ann of Memories by the Miles, I am so happy you have joined me here.

We left about 6:30 am, not arriving back home until around 5:30 pm.  Rob and I are both tired, thinking we both won't be far from our heads hitting our pillows tonight, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".