Feeling Grumpy & Weird Thoughts???

It is amazing how much better one feels when they get a good night's sleep, but why was I feeling grumpy all day long ?  There are some of Life's mysteries we will never be able to figure out EVER !  

I got going on stripping the bed and getting the laundry done.  I went downtown Wiarton to do a bank deposit and drop into our local Foodland to take advantage of the Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts on sale for $3.97/lb, as well as pick up a few other things.  I took a bit of time spend outside in 15*F weather giving our Lexus girl a good brushing out.  

The Weather Network had issued warnings for High Winds up to 100km and Severe Thunderstorms.  As I type, I do hear the winds have increased and it is raining at the moment, so time will tell.  Here is the link for the Weather Watch for Southern Ontario:  http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/?prov=son

.... and my poor sick Rob didn't get anything done today much as he is still under the weather, sorry about the pun, but what he did do was peel 4 turnips.

I took over by cutting them up, and blanching them in my Pressure Cooker for 2 minutes of perfection.  Have I ever mentioned, now that I have almost gotten over my fear of it, how much I LOVE my Lagostina Brava Pressure Cooker?  Truly I do.  I have yet to experiment cooking a full meal, such as  Roast Beef dinner in it yet.

Four small turnips yielded us four medium freezer bags of prepared turnip  for the freezer.  Lots more turnip to go in the 50 lb box we had bought for $10.00, but really we do LOVE turnip.

The afternoon was pretty much consumed by the Turnip and a couple of phone calls with my BFF, two of them anyhow.  Rob did not want to go out onto the windy and raining evening to BBQ the two steaks I had taken out for dinner, which was just as well with me feeling a bit on the grumpy side, so he took us to Subway each for a $5.00 Sub.

Back home, after our Dinner of Subs, I made our bed back up front.  Okay here comes the Weird thought .... as I am calmly making our bed I begin thinking, "what if I died and could hear what everyone was saying about me, then came back to Life to speak to those same people".  Okay did I get too much sleep last night? am I too grumpy today?

WHAT ON EARTH CAUSES ME TO HAVE SUCH WEIRD THOUGHTS SOMETIMES ????

Truly it made me laugh, but still this is not the first time I have such weird thoughts.  Does anyone else have such WEIRD thoughts also that they care to admit too?  or I am the only weirdo (in a fun way, as truly I don't want to attract really scary weirdos) out there? *Smile*

By the way, how is everyone who "signed on" for the 52 Week Money Challenge doing?  the end is almost here, with the balance saved to date being $1,128.00.  I still haven't decided what I will be doing with the end result of $1,378.00.  The possibilities are countless ... repair our stairs, update our bedroom, repair eaves troughs, do the front part of the roof at the front of our house, buy wood for the winter, pay down our mortgage, buy myself a new camera, or a new Dyson Vacuum cleaner for the house, hire someone to shed me of 20 pounds and iron out my wrinkles?  Truly an endless list in my eyes, endless .....

This could have proved to been very scary ...

http://www.goforyourraise.com/funcorner/xgqexgoxzmq-elk-vs-photographer/

And "just for fun" ...



Here is to another good night's sleep, and a tomorrow with no grumpy feelings or weird thoughts, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

BEWARE ! It Does Not Get YOU

My one and only brother, Allan, called me this morning just before 8 am wondering if I was up and at it.  Ha! yes since the wee wee hours of the morning being around 4 am.  If I am not up and at it before 5 or 6 am any morning, you definitely know something is wrong with me.

Regardless I was getting a visit and he not only brought me a Tim Horton's Coffee, he also brought us two packages of Venison and one of Moose.  Allan always shares a bit of what his "share" is from any hunting party he had been with each Year when they get something.  I was happy I finally gave him his Birthday Gift I had for him from last Year ... geesh, I had to dust it off before giving it to him.

Bandit most certainly loves his Uncle Allan.  You can well imagine the reception he got when he arrived at our door, just by all the kissing he got when he got sitting.

Once my coffee visit was over I got going on a bit of this and that of tidying up here and there in the house, as well as doing up two loads of laundry.  Also when I went into the filing cabinet to get some labels I was surprised when I found ....

... this in a folder marked Recipes that I had forgotten about.  21 Delicious Healthy Recipes? can't wait until I am reminded what was considered "healthy" in the Year 2000.

I had plans to go to the Zion Church Bazaar in Sauble Beach with my girlfriend, Colleen, as it it had been this weekend last Year when I had gone.  Well that sure did not happen as Colleen's husband called to tell me there was no action around the Church this morning (they live almost beside the Church).  Darn it all, it is scheduled this Year for next weekend !  I am still going to miss it as I have a Retirement Party for my best friend I am attending to that same day (depending on weather of course).

Since I didn't get over to Sauble Beach today, we decided to get a couple much needed things done before the snow really hits us to stay for Winter.  With all the hours Rob puts in, and being sick with a head cold the last couple of weeks the poor guy just never gets a break to do anything around the house.  Something always seems to get neglected at home when you have your own business, especially with irregular hours of Taxi business.

However today the patio furniture was lowered down from the upper deck and now has been safely stored in the barn until next Year.  Rob also filled up the wood spot in the basement.  It is a small start, but at least a start.

This afternoon I had a funeral to go to at Wiarton's St. John's United Church.  It truly was a sad day for the family, as it is really not to be to have a child pass before a Parent, is it? and so young at 49 was this young man who has left this World.

The service was so moving, and I had forgot to put tissues in my purse.  The Minster's sermon was amazing and very moving.  I was raised United Church while growing up in Southampton, then going to Anglican, and later to Faith Missionary Mennonite Church in Kitchener when my boys were small, both being baptized there.  My point being, I really enjoyed the fellowship after the service, but then again I am far from not being a social person.

By the time I arrived back home it had been late afternoon around 4:30 pm.  My poor Rob was done, done, done ... I am afraid the Cold virus of two weeks has now progressed into a Flu.  He is very much under the weather.

Rob Flu sick, and I with another rotten Sinus Headache.  What a pair we make.  Rob had had himself a hot bath, and I am going to be running one for myself very shortly before calling it an early night..  Beware it does not get YOU, as this Flu bug has been going around.

I have been hearing rumblings that there is some nasty weather coming the next few days in the way of high winds, thunderstorms and snow? more then likely the culprit of my Sinus woes again.  We have no plans for tomorrow, even though there is lots to be done,  I am hoping there will be whole day of doing NOTHING for my Rob and I, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Getting Things Done, Or NOT

Awake and up at my usual early hours of the morn sitting here minding my own business thinking I had lots of time to get this done and that done.  I suppose this is what they mean by being leisurely, would that be it?

I then went down to have the Aussies out, in, then had food rations to distribute.  Lexus giving me a kiss on the nose, Buddy getting a belly rub when it was his turn, and Mercedes? well she is just a brat that is totally food driven, so she wasn't out long before wanting back in for her breakfast.  My thoughts were on the kitchen floor being washed that I never did get to yesterday when that train of thought was broken faster then it was processed .... my "Crabby Cabbie" called to disrupt the day.  

What on Earth would I do without that man of mine?  could I please go take care of something for him, and could I do it by 8:30 am?.  *Sigh* there are days when you hold it all in, is there not?  Of course, business is business and off I went, returning back home around 11:00 am.

I do not know about anyone else, but if I leave the house in the morning by the time I get back home I have lost the "mood" of wanting to get anything accomplished.  Why is that?   Upon talking to other friends about this, apparently I am not alone feeling this way.

Barely back home to get settled in with the Aussie "gang" all out again, I had another call back out.  All was good as I had to drop into the Wiarton Chamber to find out some computer stuff anyhow.

I also did my "Good Samaritan" Deed for the day by rounding up some of the Signs from the various downtown Wiarton businesses to be returned to the Chamber for the Winter months.  Thank goodness when I arrived at the Chamber office, Mandy helped me get them in as they are made way beyond sturdy !  

Again I returned back home where I took care of another Chamber duty I had yet to complete by email, then the phone was going off again.  Off I went back to Wiarton.  Truly it is difficult some days when I have to "cover" for my Crabby Cabbie to get anything going and finished all at the same time some days.  Murphy's Law, should I sit and wait for a call, you know there would not be one all day long .... dang that Murphy guy.

Rob was home from his shift shortly after I had once again returned home for the 3rd time.  By this time it was 3:30 pm.  He still is not feeling well with a head cold that just will not give up after 3 weeks now.  I heated up some Homemade Chicken Soup, served along with a sandwich for him.

Finally with Rob and Bandit safely together on their chair together in front of the TV, I was able to get, not only the kitchen floor washed, also the paw prints going through most of the house wiped up as well.

Paw prints from my upsetting day of yesterday have all been looked after.  For the time being, until the NEXT time.

Hooray !!!  finally something in the house done other then two sink loads of dishes, and the bed made.  What an exciting life I lead, is it not.

I was really happy to have received some photos from one of the Checkerboard Aussies' Forever Homes yesterday.  I LOVE getting updated photos of our pups ... check it out by *clicking* HERE.  What a face that Oliver boy has ... totally lovable.

There is a CD presentation going on in Wiarton this evening at St. John's United Church "Head Lining" Wiarton's very own, Rob Ritchie.  Earlier this Fall I had been invited out to this Event, but truly with the Sinus headache behind my eyes at the moment I need to realize I can't do everything, even though this is something I would have enjoyed going to do.

My tomorrow is pretty full at the moment.  My girlfriend, Colleen and I are going to the Church Bazaar in Sauble Beach tomorrow morning, as well as having the luncheon they are offering.  This luncheon was amazing last Year, as you can see HERE.  At 2 pm I will be back in Wiarton attending a Funeral Service.

I think I will pretty much try to get myself rested up for tomorrow and take it easy for the remainder of the evening, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Bounce Or Break ?

Some people have bad days, others have bad weeks, and there are times I really believe I am having a whole bad Year, even though I know this not to be true, but ..... there are some days where staying bed would definitely be the best choice.

The Sun was out, it was a lovely crisp morning.  First thing I lost an email with the Crabby Cabbie payroll attached to it.  An easy fix by making a phone call to ask if it could be resent.  Rob reminded me yesterday I had better get the pot off the deck that my Auntie had given me.  It didn't go well.  Bandit was let in without getting his feet wiped as dry any more then then could be.  It didn't go well.

I have been up since 2 am (again), so off course nothing seems to go well when you have had not much sleep, right?

Yesterday I learned of an acquaintance loosing her Son.  This is not how Life is to be, to loose a child before you yourself live out your own life, is it?  I made a call to her this morning to see if I could be of any help. Truly I do not know if I helped much by spending a good part of the phone call in tears myself, however I like to think I have.  She is an amazing lady I have gotten to know recently and do love the chats we have had together.  I am happy to have made her acquaintance, so wholeheartingly feeling her loss, although not the experience of her loss.

I carried on with my day the best I could, thinking what could make things better then a pot of Homemade Big Batch Chicken Soup.

Today seemed to be pretty much a total write-off to me in the respect of being productive.

As it was put to me earlier today ....

Not having a good day, a good week, or maybe not a good year? what matters most is how you bounce back !

My allergies are in full force.  I cannot hear out of my left ear at the moment, and have a Chamber Meeting to attend to this evening.  Wish me lots of bounce, as otherwise I  fear I could bounce too hard and break ....

...no worries I still have a *smile* on my face, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Full Day Of LOTS of Everything !

Since I was in my bed shortly after 6 pm last evening I had done my blog post very early in the day, so never got to share the "highlight" of my Yesterday.

I had some happy mail from my friend, Sharon ... all the way from where she is a Snow Bird in Florida.  Months ago I had sent her a pattern for some business card holders.  Sharon is a very very good sewer, and surprise surprise, I had forgotten all about them, until yesterday when I not only received these "Crabby" business card holders,  but a pouch too !   The material even has Crabby printed right on it.   I truly have some of the best friends in the whole wide World !  I also got a few Christmas Cards out to a couple of our Crabby Cabbie accounts too yesterday.

My "Crabby Cabbie" Rob also received some mail yesterday, from our very own Bruce-Grey MP, Larry Miller.  It truly had been an all around "Crabby" day yesterday.

Really it was The "Crabby Cabbie" One Year Anniversary this past May in Saugeen Shores, and will be One Year in Wiarton, if we make it there, in May of 2014.  The gesture of being acknowledged  is always appreciated.  Thank You.

Last night I had myself a half descent sleep finally, after going to bed at 6 pm, but today? full-steam ahead it was with a full day of LOTS of everything.....

First off I had stopped down to see my friend, Koreen.  I was not there very long, and when it had been time to leave I could not find my keys ... ANYWHERE !!!  I could not be stuck as I had plans to be elsewhere at 8 am.  I called our trusty Wiarton Crabby Cabbie driver to come collect me so I could go home to get the spare set of keys.  I made it in good timing almost right on the "dot" at 8 am down at The Wiarton Salvation Army on Edward Street.

Today was the day that all Fundraising for the Peninsula Community Foodbank was going to begin to pay off as ACTION was put forth this day.  Mike Mason of the Wiarton Rotary Club and Jim Howe of the Sauble Beach Lion's Club , also Sauble River Construction, met first thing before construction commenced.  First order of the day was the removal of one said tree, and a fence where the present building will be extended to house the new Perishable Food Coffers of the Foodbank.

Once I conferred with Mike, and had the pleasure of meeting Jim, I took the above pictures and continued on with my day.  My Mother had a hair appointment at 10:30, so I first went back home to collect my neighbour then down to Gateway Haven Nursing Home to collect my Mother for her appointment.

My Mother's appointment was to last about 1 1/2 hours, so my neighbour, Pari and I took in the stores downtown Wiarton.  Pari had never been to The Cluttered Cupboard before, so that was a "must" stop.

I never tire of visiting The Cluttered Cupboard as there is always something new & unique there to see.  Looking for a gift for that "special" person, you just might find it at The Cluttered Cupboard.  They also have a corner already set up for Christmas !   Again I say, a "must" stop if you live in or visit Wiarton.

After collecting Mother to return her back to her residence, I swung by the building site again about lunch time.

Wow a High Hoe was there, the tree was gone, the fence was gone, and trenching had begun.  That is progress in ACTION !!!

Before beginning my blog post this evening, I made a quick call to Mike Mason, since I certainly did not want to get any details wrong, as really anyone that knows me does know I frequently do this.  That is just the way I am, is it not?  I had told Mike what time I had been around the site, and he was more then happy to send me his photos of what further progress had been made later this afternoon.

Photos Courtesy of Mike Mason:  Yes there is Jim Howe, himself, cutting up that fallen tree.  Backhoe Operator was Tom MacDonald.  Yeppers that is Jim down in the hole.  The word is out that the footings will be going in tomorrow.  Progress in ACTION ! gotta love seeing all the LOVE of such an amazing project behind the scenes, do you not?

Thanks Mike, I can not express how thrilled I truly am on being invited to follow such a project which is soon to have a huge impact on our Communities within the Bruce Peninsula.  Stay tuned Bruce County there will be more to come !!!

Yes I finally did make it back home early this afternoon.  Lots more has gone on this day for me from first loosing my keys, carrying on with fun bloopers over at Cindy's Recipe Exchange on Facebook, to a wee bit of disappointment with finding out one of our Checkerboard Aussie pups was re-homed.  Oh yes, should I touch upon my phone call to Larry Miller's office over the matter of Police Checks being required for Taxi drivers prior to them driving for a Taxi Company.  This is a good thing, but this other matter I will have to have more time then I have now to explain it all ... that will be another time, however the reception I received  on this matter from our local MP, Larry Miller's office? was excellent and I am looking forward to hearing back from them.

I can NOT believe I actually had enough energy left this afternoon to make a double batch of Spaghetti Sauce and .... "hold my breath", remove some of those Dust Bunnies that have taken over my home !!!  One for me and zero for them dust bunnies.  *Smile* me happy about that.

*Sigh* Rob does not care for Cheese Stuffed Tortellini, so he had to have plain old pasta with NO colour for his sauce this evening.  Stuffy shirt Rob.

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

The missing keys? found in my back pocket all along ... geesh.

Should there be days my journal does not make sense to another, no worries as there is lots of days my Life does not make sense to me, but it does not stop me from wanting to Live it, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

The Values Of Life

Free ? you just gotta love free as there isn't much left in this World that is free anymore, or for that matter that holds up for long.  Unfortunately it has become a "throw away" World with many expecting it to be all about them.

This worries me, as I worry about my grandchildren learning values.  Values of worth, not something with a big price tag that has no meaning to be cast away at a whim when something else fancies the eye.  *Sigh* I am afraid it is a sad, sad World with it not getting much better unless our children start standing up to the plate to make a stand on teaching their children the differences.

Prayers ... lots of prayers in these areas are needed BADLY !

Our Churches, and Services Clubs are going to be nothing soon should there not be some direction.  Who will be there within each Community to lend a helping hand and to share should this happen.  Pray and educate our grandchildren and children as often and gently as we can, praying something "sticks" in their heads and within their hearts.

Back to free, and the simple things in Life, I was very pleased to come across a link from Betty Crocker offering a FREE Soup/Stew Cookbook to be either viewed online, or if you would like to spend some money on ink, downloaded.  I personally will be saving the link to my favourites and printing off the recipes I will be wanting to try.

Here is the link for you to peruse yourself:  http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gm/soups/

Thanks again to Facebook, Today's Free Stuff, and Betty Crocker.

Do you ever feel you have all the knowledge, and the tools at your finger tips to get started on something, however just do not have the inner strength to go forward?  This is where I am at the moment.  Between being in so much pain and so terribly tired all the time, I sometimes run out of "umpf or will power" it seems.

There is so much to be done .... soooo much it is overwhelming most days.

I have been having quite the battle within myself to get over this hump, per say ... hoping this too will pass sooner then later, before it becomes too much to seemingly overcome that it never takes any positive direction.  This I will need to work on more ... but geez it is difficult when pain and no energy keeps baring down.

I will persevere somehow, as I do not want to see myself as a quitter or a failure in areas I want to excel at within myself.

Really truly now I think about it, maybe I am coming down with a bad head cold.  The one my poor hubby had himself for the past two weeks.  He is getting over it, so do I have the Joy of now receiving it?   I am tired, my left ear hurts and my eyes are runny; did I mention my whole body hurts too, but in a different way then the every day norm.

My friend just called and asked how I was.  I said could you bend your ear for some whining ... what are friends for? and besides it does help when you have a friend to vent to, does it not?

Friendships, now that is something I value with all my heart, don't you?

3:53 pm.  I am tired.  I am patiently wishing my life away until my hubby arrives home so I can go to bed, hence my early early blog post this day.  Sick and tired makes for a negative outlook, I best be pulling up my socks and ridding myself of this right shortly, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

Bad Case of the Blahs ....

This could not say it any better on how I am feeling this day.

All I did today was deliver my car back to the mechanics again as the brakes still weren't up to par, deliver a package to my "Crabby Cabbie", and

... do a few Christmas Cards, and update my 52 Week Money Challenge (how is everyone doing at their end on the Challenge?).

One thing I would LOVE to share that touched me  is something I recently came across I believe on Facebook,  but cannot recall from who or where, but to leave some with thought, here it is ...

BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID
who got an A+ for this entry
(TOTALLY AWESOME)!
The Lord's Prayer
Is not allowed in most
Public schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned.....
A kid wrote the attached

NEW School prayer:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the Province.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..
We can get our condoms and birth controls, 
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, 
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this, Please pass this on..
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

I also did a post on the Checkerboard Aussies' Blog, for whoever might want to stop in to see HERE, but other then that it has been a really really blah, blah, blah day for me where I just feel like being in my bed with the covers pulled up over my head, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".