Family Christmas Luncheon

I had the worse night of sleep again last night with no help from our Aussies again with Lexus needing out at 4:30 am.  Poor girl.  I tossed and turned all night thinking about stuff I should have filed forever never to return to my mind.  Why does the past come back to haunt one in the wee hours of the night? it is beyond me.

The morning went fast before I had to leave to pick up my neighbour Pari at 10:30 am, as we were heading down to Southampton to meet up with a couple of my Aunts and Cousins for a Christmas Lunch get together.

We arrived at the Walker House to meet at 11:30 am.  There had been 11 of us. Myself, Pari, my sister, Jeanne, her daughter, Joanne, Cousins Krista, Vi, Marlene, Suzanne, Peggy, and Aunts Gladys & Shirley.  It was great to see everyone, however when you have such a large group at a table it is very difficult to really visit much with everyone.

I had been down at the end with Pari, Krista, Joanne and Aunt Gladys.  There was no lack of chatter at any part of the table ... it was all good.

Lunch? totally amazing.  The "specials" were Fish & Chips, Hot Turkey, and Vegetable Lasagna w/ Caesar Salad.  I choose the latter.

Three of the Lunch choices at our table.  Stacked Vegetable Salad w/ Asiago Cheese & a reduced Balsamic Vinegar, Vegetable Lasagna, & Grilled Shrimp with Soup.

Truly the meals were "top notch" delicious with amazing portion sizes for the prices.  Curious about the full menu at the Walker House check it out HERE.

By the time we finished up, I drove back to Wiarton to drop Pari off at her home, I had made it to my 2 pm meeting just in time.  That was over by 3:30 pm.  I was tired and happy to get back home.

Dinner tonight?  I had half of my Lasagna leftover I had brought home, and Rob had his leftover Turkey which he loves so much.  Easy peasy as one-two-three, just the way I like it.

I am exhausted with another full day ahead of me tomorrow.  The "Voice" is getting down to the nitty gritty of eliminations, and that is what I will be watching tonight at 8 pm here, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

(DISCLOSURE:  The opinions within my daily journal in the form of these Blog Posts are my own and NOT affiliated with any group I might belong to or anyone else's opinions).

Happy Anniversary Girlfriend

Today was the day my girlfriend, Colleen, and her sweetie, Barry, Rob and I were getting together to go out for Dinner together.  It had been some time since the four of us had been able to do this, so I had been looking forward to it for some time.

Colleen and I met each other when I had worked at Tenneco in Owen Sound.  When I had first became sick in 2008, Colleen had been there for me from day one.  Colleen is a Best Friend Forever.

When we went over to pick Barry & Colleen up at their home, as she was getting in the van I had said to her, "Happy Anniversary Girlfriend".  She had been surprised when I had said today was the 3rd Anniversary when we had our Vehicle Accident together just up the road from her place.

I recounted the whole accident in my blog post last year that can be found HERE.

I am happy that Colleen and I were able to be together 3 years later to celebrate our lives.  Thank you girlfriend  !!!

We had decided we would try out the Walker House in Southampton for Dinner, as we had not been there for a meal since the new owners took over the Family Business of the long time owners, the Mahons.  I can still remember Harvey & Helen as a little girl growing up in Southampton.  Their son, Bob, who just retired from the family business was fast friends with my brother when they had been growing up.  I don't think there was a Milestone Family Anniversary that was not celebrated at the Walker House.  I remember my Grandparent's celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary there, and my own parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Lots of memories over the years at the Walker House for the residents of Southampton.

I even remember one time as a young girl returning one of Harvey's Walker hounds that had gotten loose from behind the building.  I am sure it had been appreciated.

Dinner for me was Caesar Salad & Lasagna, which I had to take some home as it was huge!  Rob and Barry had the Roast Beef Dinner which was a plate very very FULL !  

If you order a Caesar Salad at the Walker House, you must LOVE Garlic, as I will still be warding off Vampires for the next week if they an arm's length away from me.  However the Caesar was wonderful, and the homemade Croutons were melt in your mouth.

After dinner I wanted a couple photos.  I was told in no uncertain terms "no photos on the Internet", however I do know how well my BFF knows me so .....

Happy Anniversary to us Girlfriend, and Barry thanks for taking us all out for a wonderful long overdue Dinner together.  xoxoxo

Am I tired? of course I am as Rob and I were awake and up at 2 am for some unheard of reason last night.  What was up with that ???  the added bonus of my day? no headache !!!  that made me one happy gal, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Naturally Natural

20 NATURAL PAINKILLERS IN YOUR KITCHEN 

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight. A natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anaesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker.This simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Heal heartburn with cider vinegar

Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain.

Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds. Garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulphur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

If you’re struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache. Anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin.

Fight tummy troubles with fish

If your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. For the best results, look for salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s Columbia University . “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University .

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating. That's because pineapple is naturally packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine.

Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? What to do? Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half.

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York ’s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn't just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs). That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection.

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear. Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues.

Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days.

Source for Above:  https://www.facebook.com/IntelligentLiving

I always love reading "Natural" cures and/or remedies.  However like everything else, keep in mind what might work for one person might not work for another.

On to my day at hand, after yet another sleepless night, and Yes, I have tried the Cherry Juice, and No, it did not work.

After I managed to have one cup of coffee this morning, and have a long overdue phone call with my Sister, Donna (having had spoken to my Sister, Jeanne, the other night), while multi-tasking by taking out Mercedes at the same time, I then got onto more important tasks like dusting the bedroom and having myself a shower.

I had a few errands that needed done this morning downtown, before I headed over to Southampton to "Spread the Word about Crabby Cabbie 3 week Food Bank Drive".

I copied and cut before leaving the house.  I was happy to check out all the businesses on the one-side of the street in my Hometown of Southampton, as I dropped off flyers to each.  So many changes since I was a young girl growing up.  I was very happy to meet the owner of Bliss who is a Crabby Cabbie Facebook Fan.  What a fantastic store it is.  I look forward to a time in the future that I might be able to explore more.

Bliss can also be found on Facebook HERE.  

I left the Crabby Cabbie vehicle I had drove down to Southampton there, and drove home with Rob.  Our own personal van was ready to be picked up from our mechanics as it had been in getting the front manifold gasket replaced (not a little job by no means, and our mechanic, Jim, is more then appreciated by us).

We both arrived back home at 5 pm to find my Cousin Todd waiting for us, as he and Rob had planned to meet up.  Me?  I let all the Aussies out then headed into the house to find out the Wiarton Chamber event I was planning on attending at 6:00 pm had been cancelled for tonight.

Quite honestly I was happy it had been cancelled since that meant Rob and I could have a nice Dinner together and an early night.

Our Dinner of BBQ'd Steak, pan-fried mushrooms and new potatoes"hit" the spot.

More changes to my Hometown of Southampton were released this past September 23rd.

The Walker House, owned by the Mahon family as long as I can remember, has acquired new Owners.  That news can be found HERE.  Yes I do remember Earl Putman, who, if my memory serves me correctly, was from Kitchener, with their Summer home located just up the street from the Walker House, many years ago ....

It is now only 8:00 pm, so I think my plans of an early evening might transpire afterall, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".