Lest We Forget

I might have been awake this morning, however my body was telling me to stay put.  Oh I wish I could have but there were Aussies needing me and things to be done.  

A Facebook friend had posted an interesting article on Fibromyalgia to my page yesterday, that I thought I would put out there to share with anyone and everyone should they also be interested:

Fibromyalgia Breakthrough, Treat the Causes Not Just the Symptoms: 

 http://www.envita.com/lyme-disease/finally-one-link-established-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs-lupus-fibromyalgia-autoimmune-disease-chronic-lyme-disease

NOTE:  It is my opinion from having FM myself the above symptoms are affected by some, however not limited to any just one.  There is also more to it at times then what the cartoon displays.  Like anything else, the more we know the more we learn, and are more aware.  Not all is for one person, but take what you will for yourself and leave behind the rest.

I got a load of laundry in the washer, after my Aussies chores and my coffees this morning.  I then dragged the wooden clothes horses from the closet to hang everything to dry.

I took inventory of the purchases I had made yesterday.  Albert Weber Summer Sausage for Rob, Multi-Grain Crackers for US (love these crackers), and a new leather wallet for ME !

Later this morning we decided to make a quick trip over to Owen Sound as I had  wanted to get a couple copies of photographs printed off.  We made a stop in Shallow Lake to pickup a box of jars that friends no longer required.  Thanks Pam & Randy, so nice to see you both.  Randy & I grew up together in Southampton, it was nice to see him again, however briefly, and to meet his lovely wife, Pam.  Hopefully a bit longer visit next time I am flying through that way?

On our way back from Owen Sound we swung around to Dejong Acres Farm, as Anita's Mom had left something there for me (thanks for the cassettes, Alice), and I needed a couple dozen eggs.

The Dejong Portable Grill Cart is parked for the Season, however there are lots of things to be had within the walls of the store.  Still a couple lovely Sheepskins to be purchased at a cost of $100.00 each (hope I quoted that price correctly, but I apologize if I have not).

It was another cold breezy day ... brr.  Back home with our purchases put away I could not get the chill from my bones.  That meant we needed the wood stove light, and Rob needed to go out to retrieve some wood from the shed.

Out Rob went with our Red Wagon and Lexus to help him.  Bandit was at the window watching their every move.  His turn out was next.

When I had seen Paul yesterday, he had given me two envelopes ....

Rob and I got two amazing photo cards.  One was a Thank You Card, for sending them the van to take them all to the airport when they had gone out West, with Josh, Aiden, Briar, Chole and Connor all in the photo.  The next was our very first Christmas Card made up of photo collages of this and that ... a card that shall be framed and kept hopefully forever.  Thank YOU all ... xo

"Lest We Forget"

A MAN AT THE CENOTAPH

He comes here often, not just once a year,

to honour those whose names are,

and those whose names are yet to be written

on the stone erected here.

And as he stands with head bowed low,

its notes ringing clear upon the air, 

and when he looks, there is no one there.

Then bows his head in silent prayer

and perhaps sheds a silent tear.

HE REMEMBERS THEM.

Written by Basil Eby (my Uncle Basil)

Gone for the whole day yesterday truly had drained me.  I am ready for my bed already at 6:34 pm, is that not awful, but really I am cold, tired and feeling like a limp wet washcloth at the moment, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

A Road Trip & A Surprise

I was up by 5 am, showered, ready and out the door by 7:00 off to pickup my Niece, Joanne, who was going  to go along on my planned "Road Trip" this day.

I LOVE Snowmen, so it was no problem to check out this handsome looking dude coming into Chesley, as we had to make a "pit stop" at the money stop before heading on down the road.

A couple of hours later brought us to the St. Jacob's Market, around 9 am I would think.  They are erecting a new building in place of the one that had burned down a couple of months ago.  Not certain if a 2nd floor will be going into this one or not?  Joanne and I had fun browsing through the market.  We both bought a new wallet each, and I also bought an Albert Weber's Summer Sausage, as requested by my Rob.

Next door to the Market was the Antique Store we really enjoyed browsing through, although we both had a bit of problem with our allergies since it had been a bit musty with some of the older items.  "Magic" caught my eye as soon as we walked through the front door.  Is she not lovely?

Heading up King Street, towards Kitchener, we spotted a "Yard Sale" of new Gift items.  This house was not far from Country Squire Road, where Rob and I lived 10 years ago now, which has held  this sale annually.  Joanne and I did a bit of shopping for ourselves and others at this stop too.  It was so much fun.

Next stop was Costco, as I needed to replenish our Dog Food coffers, and pick up a few other select items here.  My Son, Paul, and his boys, Aiden and Connor, came to meet up with us here.

Grandma always come bearing "homemade" treats for her boys.  They enjoyed the Pumpkin Muffins I had made, although like myself, Connor does not care for raisins either.  Aiden got "extra" raisins along with his muffin passed over to him.

After lots of fun and walking (lots of walking) through Costco, with Joanne and I going back in for couple other items once the boys had left, we then head off to my nephew, Jody's home as today he and his wife, Lauren, were hosting a surprise in store for someone "special"  ...

Look at all the lovely food our lovely niece Jennifer had prepared.  Oh yum baked Raspberry and Chocolate Cheesecakes too.

Here is Jennifer's husband, Rich, overseeing the food ???  and trying to avoid me taking his photo.  Rich is a very talented person with a very unusual and unique talent all of his own.  Take a look at what Rich puts his hand at ..... by *clicking* into his World HERE.

Should you have a Facebook Account, Rich also has a Facebook Page you may find HERE.  Give his page a big LIKE, as I am certain you will enjoy follow his work as much as I do.  Tell him I sent you over, as that he would also enjoy hearing.

It is nice when family members get together to "catch up" with each other.  Two brothers, Wayne, and Roger, were there this day, however Rob and the younger brother, Peter, we unable to make it.

Today was a gathering of family to celebrate my Sister-in-Law, Delores's 65th Surprise Birthday Party.  And truly surprised she was when she came through the door, as she called there on quite a different pretence.   Family members, children, grandchildren and siblings made the day for Delores.  Happy Birthday Delores and many many more may your future hold for you. xx

Joanne and I returned home driving along dark rainy roads.  I could not have been more happier then I was after a very long day to come home to my husband, who surprised me with having a lovely Roast Beef Dinner waiting for me on my arrival.  Thanks honey, I very much appreciated your thoughtfulness, especially when you are still feeling very sick and down with a Cold.  xx

I do LOVE Snowmen, and was very happy on my "find" at Costco of .....

An LED Snowman Globe.  It is beautiful.  Once you turn it one it lights up and snows on a timer for 5 minutes.  I delighted I got this for "moi".

Spelling or Grammar errors within this post ... so sad, too bad, as I am way soooo tired to be bothered.  xx

I had a most wonderful day spent with my Niece, Joanne, who I love very dearly, time with my Son, and Grandsons, Family time with my SIL, Delores and her family, and very much happy to come back to my loving husband, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Give Me A Church Turkey Supper Anytime !

I am praying I do not come down with whatever Rob is beginning to get over with.  I did not sleep worth a dang last night, again, getting up before 6:00 am.  Honest to goodness something came over me and I had to go back to bed just before 8:00 am, finally forcing myself to get back up to make ready for an appointment I had downtown this morning.

Once motivated and out the door, I shook it off for the time I was otherwise occupied.  

Before my appointment I had a couple of stops to make.  First to see my friend, Gayle, who had been away helping her daughter the past two weeks.  I also needed to find a very large cardboard box, so the next stop was at Rankin River Trading Company.  I was very happy to have dropped in there as I realized they had their Paderno Sale running again.  I LOVE my Paderno Eco Ceramic Fry pan I bought pre-Christmas for myself last Year (on sale at an excellent price I might add, at Rankin's).

Truly so many great Kitchen items to choose from.  Should I have lots of money, and a huge Country Kitchen I have always dreamed of having all my life, I would surely equip it with one of everything from these Paderno Kitchen items displayed.

Paderno is also ALL Canadian Made.  Check them out, should you not be familiar by *clicking* HERE. 

Rankin River Trading Company? check them out by *clicking* HERE.

Once my downtown errands and meeting had been finished up, homeward bound I was ... this was not to last too long, as my dear "Crabby Cabbie" called to ask would I mind going to Owen Sound for him.  How could I say "no" to him, as a business will only be as good as what is put into it, and this I have to support always.

I gave my neighbour, Pari, a call to see if she would travel along with me to keep me company.  I was happy Pari agreed to go with me as by this time in the day I had such head, neck and shoulder pain I needed company to divert my attention.  Not only that, Pari also had a couple ibuprofen that helped me make the trip as well. 

By the time I had dropped off Pari to her home, and made it home myself, it was not long before Rob arrived home himself.  That did not last long as he got called out to do a trip to Owen Sound himself.

Thank goodness he made it back just in time to collect me, go next door to collect Pari, then head downtown Wiarton to meet up with my Auntie Gladys, and her good friend, Liz, who were meeting us at the St. John's United Church for a Turkey Supper at the pre-arranged time of 5:00.  I think we were 10 minutes late.

Auntie and Liz were kind enough to wait inside the foyer for us until we arrived so we could all go into the Church hall together.  Oh my what a Dinner it was !!!  Turkey, Stuffing, Turnip, Corn, Peas, Gravy and a fresh Dinner Roll, with Apple & Tomato juices on the table.  The turkey had been prepared locally by Sullivan's Meat Shop, Downtown Wiarton, while all the trimmings and desserts were prepared by the Ladies of the Church.  (PS the dinner roll on my plate, I passed over to Rob's place, otherwise there would not have been any room left for Dessert).

Auntie and Liz both had Dutch Apple Pie, Rob had Apple Pie, Pari had Pecan Pie, and I had Elderberry Pie.  There was not a complaint about anything .... it was ALL so very very good.  I was very impressed with attending our very first Wiarton Church Dinner.  It is not that we would not go in the past 10 years we have lived here, it was just we never had the opportunity to go in the past before now.  Looking forward to the next one we will be attending.

I was excited to find Rob had brought a sample home of what our stairs are going to be re-done with.  The stair we have are just awful in both material and how they had been built.  Not one of the steps are the same size as another.

The lighting was not too good this late in the day, however the Maple replacement will be much nicer then what is there now.  What was there before the pine steps?  then had been covered in Pink Carpet (as still is the stair gong further down to the basement)  The whole house had been pretty much "pink" ... we are slowly, very slowly, getting a few things changed up one by one, hopefully with our bedroom next on the list after this as it is in dire need of repair and change.

I am all in but for my "shirt tail" at the moment.  A couple of ibuprofen, a nice warm bed, and the TV tuned into MasterChef Junior is the order of the evening for this gal, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Comfort Food Day

Of all the "Cracks", pardon the pun, about Toronto's Mayor, Rob Ford, this is the best I have seen so far.

Yes and another one "bites the dust".  Senators, Mayors .... Men apparently leading our Cities.  *Sad* indeed.  How does their Resumes make it the top? beyond me, but then again I seldom watch TV, never the News, and not very interested in Politics, as it is something that I do not understand, nor have bothered to understand, but what I have read on Facebook, this was funny to me.

I was a Happy Camper today, as I got to not only put together an Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole in the Crock Pot today, I also got to bake !  I looked around our house thinking there is not a single room that doesn't have some amount of clutter that needs cleaning up, and said to myself, "it is the first day I don't have to do something Crabby Cabbie, so the heck with it all I am doing something I want to do".

With "fresh" pumpkin puree in my fridge that hadn't yet made it to the freezer, I thought it appropriate to make something "pumpkin".  Pumpkin Muffins it was.

What a "yummy" muffin that was much to my liking by not being too sweet, especially since I omitted the brown sugar sprinkle on top.

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

While I was slaving over a hot oven, two of my favourite boys were hard at it ....

.... sawing logs on their favourite chair together.  My poor Rob has been  down sick with a bad cold the past few days and has been wiped right out.  I left him to sleep this afternoon as much as he could.  Bandit? he was the security doggie.

Eventually Rob did have to get up as we had a scheduled appointment with the Good Doctor late this afternoon.  It went well with me getting my allergy serum shot in my arm, and Rob getting his Flu Shot in his arm.

Rob came away from the Doctor's with an apple, as did I as well, leftovers set out from Halloween.   I had a bonus with being lent the new People's Magazine so I could read up about Royal Baby George's Christening.  You may view by *clicking* HERE.

Almost back home we made a quick trip into Wiarton to hit up the Pharmacy before coming home to Dinner all ready for us.

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Dinner done that I had put together earlier today in the Crock Pot.  Truly it was good.

I adapted my Dinner from this recipe HERE.  Truly it is very easy with me browning 1 lb. of lean ground beef, draining well before adding chopped onion and garlic, then sprinkling with Italian Seasoning.  Shred half a small cabbage placing on bottom of Crock Pot; add Tomato Sauce and large can of diced tomatoes with juice, sprinkle with 1/2 to 1 cup uncooked rice, top with the remaining 1/2 of cabbage shredded.  Cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours.  (cooking time varies between Slow Cooker brands).

I have to admit I did end up doing a wee bit of Crabby Cabbie paperwork today, or maybe a little more then a wee bit.  Really though if I don't do it, who else will?

A comfort food day it was with a bowl of Unstuffed Cabbage Roll dinner, and a Pumpkin Muffin which has left me feeling quite full, if not more then I should be.  Maybe the muffin could have waited for tomorrow, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Just A Wet & Rainy Day It Was

Trooper Allan H Lehman. M4 Sherman Tank Driver. Canadian Army. France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp. 8 Sept 1943 to May 1946. Lest we Forget Papa

This photo was posted by my 1st Cousin, Wendy`s, Daughter, who in turn had posted it from her first Cousin, my Uncle`s Grandson, Gary.  Allan Lehman is my Uncle, and my Mother`s "One & Only" Brother, who has passed on some years now.  It is fantastic that there is photos still out there.  I still have a photo of my Father, Fritz (Harold Masterson), and his best friend, while they were posted out West prior to being shipped out.  My father could not go overseas as he came down sick.  That apparently very upsetting for him not to go off with his friends.

This was the Day here Just North of Wiarton ... all Day long.  Very rainy and wet, with driving winds at times.  Why did this make me happy? because it was not SNOW !!!  The Gold of the Tamarack trees in our bush are beautiful with their golden colour.

My day was interrupted enough today really not to begin anything major with four trips downtown Wiarton, and one to Owen Sound.  How can anything worth while really get started when it is always on one's mind it might be stopped any minute and left.  *Sigh*  I am thinking I might have a break tomorrow, as I really need to get some serious housework done around here, instead of the piece work here and there.

Downtown Wiarton had a bit of street repairs going on at each end of town today.  I am sorry to say I will be missing out on attending the Frank Street Church Bazaar this upcoming Saturday.  I have attended the previous two years, however I have had an invited to "go behind the scenes" when the ladies are setting it up this Friday.  That will be fun !

Once I finally got back home with my day finished up I did sit back with my feet up for a wee bit before getting a bit of dinner ready for Rob and I.  

I could not have been happier to received a couple of emails from our Elizabeth attaching photos of Paul and Aiden.  Hopefully I will get a couple of him and Connor later.

Yeppers that is my boys ! (two of them anyway).  Oh man I used to be able to touch my nose with my tongue ... it was one of my favourite pastimes I am sure.

What else did I do today?  I bought Rob and I a Tim Horton's Coffee Maker, barely used, for a grand total of ....

... take a guess?  Rob breaks it up tomorrow.  Retail Price? $129.95.  The lady who I am purchasing it from guarantees it brews hot, as I have found other coffee makers I have had brew lukewarm, and I prefer my coffee "hot".  Bunn Coffee Makers are however known to be a good brand, so I hope this to hold true with this coffee maker.

It is still windy and rainy outside our home.  Inside the wood stove is nice and toasty warm.  I am going to have myself a hot leisurely shower and say "hello" to my comfy bed giving myself an early night, since it has been a very long day as I have been awake since the wee hours of 3 am this morning, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Poem Worth Reading

Thanks to my Auntie who emailed this to me today.  I also shared it to The "Crabby Cabbie's" Facebook page, as really I thought it definitely "A Poem Worth Reading" 

.... to all the Unsung Heroes who are our Veterans.

A POEM WORTH READING (Author Unknown)

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Joe has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Veteran died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a Veteran
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Veteran,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a Veteran
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Veteran,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Veteran,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Veteran's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A VETERAN DIED TODAY."

PLEASE pass On The Patriotism! YOU can make a difference.

That really "speaks" out, does it not, especially with Rememberance Day upcoming on the 11th of November.

My day this day?  I had to be over in Owen Sound for an appointment with a Throat, Ear and Nose Specialist, Dr. Michael Chater, who is at Dr. McKenna's offices for the month.  I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this young Doctor looking after me this morning. 

He was very thorough with excellent bedside manner skills.

After asking me a few questions about my history regarding Sinuses, headaches and allergies, he proceeded to freeze my nose/throat.  I was warned it was an awful terrible taste (as they had practised with it on each other when in school).  Next was the "light" up the nose and down the throat, not too pleasant, however we know there are much worse things in Life.  

I told Dr. Chater he made me cry, however he told me he was that close to the tear ducts the pressure made me cry .... really????  *Smile* ... so I told him I would not tell anyone he made me cry.

Prognosis?  I have allergies (which I know); headaches (this I know as I have these daily); and collapsed external nasal valves (this I didn't know, but makes perfect sense to me now I do know).

Headaches? daily I have headaches, but they are not only caused by allergies, sinuses, but also from Neck problems as well as Fibromyalgia.  A combination, not a "one cure all" unfortunately.

Course of Action:  Use my prescription Nose Spray 2 x a day for 1 week, then 1 x  every day for the next 7 weeks thereafter.  Try using nose inserts at night time to allow for better breathing, if this does not seem to work or give relief, then surgery is the next option (I HATE surgery, NO WAY I hope).  Should the nasal spray not work, a Headache Specialist might be another option.

The GOOD News?  I do not have any apparent Sinus Disease ... hooray !!!

I hope to remember to faithfully take the nasal spray for the next couple of months with seeing some good results.  If not I am sure there will be further discussion at my next scheduled appointment in January of the New Year.

Once back in Wiarton I had a couple of errands to make before heading home, one stopping in to see my Mother, then stopping at the Hairdressers to make her an appointment to get her hair coloured next week (I best be marking that on the BIG Calendar)

That was my morning spent, with the exception of making one last stop before heading home to pickup a cookbook my friend, Lynn, was lending me that I had to retrieve from her mailbox.

Yeppers could not get near the place, Lynnie, with your "Watch Levi" putting out the bark on me, getting Dixie to join in.  Mouthy Levi is, but look at that little cutie face will you? 

My afternoon was spent doing up dishes, making a couple of phone calls, organizing a few "Crabby Cabbie" files, and catching up with some emails.  Of course there was some Aussie time in there always.

My poor Rob has been sick the past few days ... fluish sick.  I was happy he was home at a rather descent hour today. 

Dinner was simple with Homemade Hamburger Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and a Salad.

I think both Rob and I will be having ourselves an early night this evening with our bed not too far away from either of us, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Pumpkin, Feathers & Oil ????

Today was not a very eventful day, unless you count running vehicles back and forth to our mechanics all day long to have them undercoated with OIL before the Salt and Sand hits the roads heavy in Bruce County, and surrounding areas.

Our Wiarton driver was down in Saugeen Shores again helping out my "Crabby Cabbie" Rob, so that left me all by my lonesome with that, dogs, pumpkins and running 3 vehicles back and forth today all day long.

I had a call first thing this morning which took me out of the house by 8 am, not returning for about an hour later.  I thought it high time I tackled the two remaining pumpkins on my kitchen counter.

It is times like these wherein I am happy to have two Crock Pots.

After the pumpkin was put on LOW heat for the day, I then turned my attention to a bit of "Crabby Cabbie" paperwork, something there is never a shortage of.  In-between having the 2nd vehicle dropped off to be oiled I had two more calls today, one right after the other which was kind of nice.

Back home I was all ready to take the third vehicle down to switch it up with the already oiled on, when I turned the key to find the battery had decided to take a vacation.  I called up Lisa, who is our mechanics ever faithful right hand wife, who as always, came to my rescue.

Oh where did the Feathers come into play, in the Pumpkin, Feathers & Oil? when Lisa and I had seen this little guy hopping around the yard at her place.  Does anyone know what kind of birdie this little one is? looked like a baby Morning Dove to me, but is way too late in the Seasons for that? or so I thought it to be.  

And later today back at my place with a "dead" battery, my dear Lisa came to my rescue to get me boosted so I could finally change up the 3rd vehicle to have it oiled.

What would I have done without that girl this day? never mind me, I truly would not know what Jim would do without her at his side any day !!!   You GO Lisa Girl as you "ROCK" !

Today I also spoke to my Auntie, who LOVES Turkey Dinners as much as my Rob does.  It was decided that we would all meet this upcoming Friday to have ourselves one at the St  John's United Church.  Details as follows, and tickets to be purchased at the door.

I was speaking to my friend, Bob, via text, the other day.  He just recently got over a "bug" that was flu like.  By the sound of how Rob was feeling today with headache, sore neck, shoulders and aches everywhere, as well as nausea, I fear he might be coming down with something.  Me?  I can't tell until I have the flu full-blown, as that is how I feel most every day, minus the nausea..

Beware as the "bugs" are out and on the move, so keep warm and well if you can.

I hear snoring coming from the back of the house.  This is a good thing as it means Rob is getting some much needed sleep earlier then later this evening.

Old time it would be 9:08 at the minute, but since we are on Fall Back time now, it is only 8:08.  A few more days might bring me around to not thinking like that any longer I hope ... these things take time, do they not?

Tomorrow morning I have to not only be up at my usual early time, but out the door and in Owen Sound for an 8 am appt. with a Nose/Ear/Throat Specialist to see what is going on with the abnormalities in my nose that showed up on my Cat Scan.  Maybe that is part of my problem with my Sinuses, and headaches?  Surely I will find out then..

Tired? of course I am.  When I spoke to my Sister, Donna, this morning, she wonders how I go, go and go without my mind ever having a rest.  I told her it was going to have lots of rest when I leave this World as we know it, so I have to get all the living in I can possibly get in now, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".