The "Right" Friends & "New To Us"

I truly believe being as honest as I can, after many years of trying to figure it out, what the "right" friends are in my Heart.  Have you?

No surprise I was awake when Rob came home this morning in the wee hours. 

Bandit and finally decided to get up and stay up shortly before 6 am.  My poor Rob got up at 7:30 as we had an appointment scheduled for 10:00 am in Meaford, leaving here at 8:30 am.  At least he stopped to get himself a 2nd cup of coffee for the road.

While Rob was at the appointment, I turned back down Hwy 26 to head over to my friend, Toni with an "i's" house to visit.  Happy days that we got to have some "friend" visiting time for at least over an hour !!!

I had taken Toni a small basket of apples, and came away with much much more ... a new hat she had give me that I absolutely LOVE ! and a new cookbook with a recipe that captured my attention right off the get go when first opening it.  Lucky girl I am to have such great friends that I do ... really quite beyond lucky I think I am !

Once I had picked Rob back up from his appointment in Meaford, we headed back Owen Sound way where we stopped at the Billy Bishop Airport to pickup our "new to us" vehicle that we had purchased last week.  Thanks to Toni's husband, Bob, who gave us the lead this vehicle was for sale, we are now the owners of ....

.... a 2004 Kia Amanti 4 door Sedan.

Other then the price was "right", when I had realized there was a Sunroof, Toni had looked at me and laughed, saying, "the sunroof has sold you on it" !  Yeppers she was right !  love the Sunroof, leather interior, heated seats, roomy interior, and that it only had one owner, and that it was spotless !  I do not think the back seat or trunk were ever used.

The "new to us" car has been dropped off to our mechanics to have the brakes done on it, and hopefully I will get to drive it by Tuesday for a few weeks before Winter hits hard (did I say Winter??? YIKES !!! ). 

Speaking of Winter, I am sad to say it really isn't too far away.  As I sat here this morning at 6:00 am there had been Hail hitting our windows.  Between the rain and odd Sun shower today I am certain the High only reached 6*C .. brrrrr.

This afternoon Bandit and I took in how well the potted flowers in the front of the house, which faces North, are doing.  They never did this well all Summer.  Obviously something likes the extreme cooker temperatures.  Not me !

What do I have on the go for tomorrow? would anyone believe if I said I am still working on that dreaded book work of the Crabby Cabbie's?  Drat, it is true ... the house can go to shambles around me until I get that done.  Oh man I really don't care for shambles so much, so I best be getting 'r finished come Hell or High Water tomorrow.

Here it is 7:37 (is that not an airplane?), with Rob about to stoke up the wood stove, and I with a pot of  Homemade Turkey Soup on the stove top heating for us to have ourselves a late dinner, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Sweet Compliment Came My Way

Today was again a very sad day for Saugeen First Nations and surrounding Communities.  Chester Ritchie will be missed by his family and many friends after his recent passing caused by a tragic mishap on a fishing boat.

Rob and I express our condolences with prayers going out to Gloria Ritchie, and her family this day and the days that are to follow to give them strength for the loss of a husband, father and friend to many in our Communities. RIP Chester as you now fly high with the Eagles in the Heavens embraced with Peace.

Photo Credit: Google Eagle Photos

Life is very precious.  I do my very best each day to try and remember to appreciate it.  I also try to be as kind as possible to others, even though I am certain I more then likely slip up more then I would like to admit.  All we can do is be aware and do our best, we should not ask more then this of ourselves nor anyone else, should we?

I think I slept rather fitfully finally last night, so much that I can't remember thinking that is a good indication that I did sleep.  I actually do not think I was out of bed until 6:30 am this morning.  That was really sleeping in for me!

I was out the door and off to Owen Sound by 9:30 am.  Once back from my little run, I made a couple stops downtown Wiarton to look for some blank Tape Cassettes.  Really they are a thing of the past, and not the easiest item to find anymore.

Once back home I had a bit of lunch before resorting to something I keep putting off as long as I possibly can.  I am certain I have promised myself a Million times I would not leave what I do not care to do to the last minute anymore.  At least I break my promises to myself, and hopefully not to another.

The weather today matched up with the chore at hand of book work pretty well this day.  I am happy to report I finished one whole month this afternoon (with at least 2 coffee breaks) and have only 2 more months to go !!!  I am pretty slow at it, and unfortunately my poor neck can only take so much at a time.  It is okay I am positive I will "get r' done" before the end of next week ... *sigh*.

Rob has been at me to make some Homemade Turkey Soup.  I had made Chicken Broth the other day just for this purpose.  Today was a perfect weather day to make Homemade soup for our Dinner.

I started chopping up the onions, carrots, celery, turnip, and of course leftover Turkey, to make ready for the pot of  waiting chicken stock.  All into the pressure cooker it went.  I am starting to LOVE my pressure cooker as much as I LOVE my Crock Pot !   Barely a half hour later and we were sitting down to  a bowl of Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup.  Yummmmmmmy it was some good.

When I had purchased my Lagostina BravaPressure Cooker a Year ago, it had been mainly in mind to cook fresh beets with it.  This Year I thought to myself, "why have another pot in the cupboard I barely use?", so I thought I would begin doing a bit of research on using the Pressure Cooker so I could get more use from it.  They even have a website for Using A Pressure Cooker for Dummys, which I have visited a few times already.  Check it out HERE.

I am loving it so much, I actually think I would want a larger one if there were more then just Rob and I living at home.

While Rob was enjoying his second bowl of soup, he gave me a sweet compliment on how good the soup was I had made by using the Pressure Cooker.  I really do appreciate his compliments, as much as him being my Guinea Pig  for new experiments and recipes from time to time, as much as he enjoys my cooking most days.  In the past 20 years of us being together, I am pretty certain there has never been a handful of complaints from Rob about my cooking.  Now other matters? I think I best not touch upon some of those subjects, right dear?

Rob was also very sweet this evening, as before he left for work he took care of all the Aussie's last Out & About for the day for me.  I also was kind enough to let him have a nice afternoon snooze by being as quiet as a mouse dong that dang, dang, triple dang Crabby Cabbie Book work.  Does he appreciate it? of course he does.

With the first wood stove fire of the Year to keep the dampness at bay this day, I am feeling as Snug as a Bug this evening, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Not Much Of This or That & Very Little Of Anything.

Unfortunately I almost had an "all nighter" with Mr Insomnia.  Finally around 3 am I got out of bed, after first being up and down a few times beforehand.  Rob joined me around 4:30 am.  I was wishing for Facebook friends to show up to play a game of Scrabble with me, and Rob watched sitcom shows he had pre-recorded.

Rob? he went back to bed after an hour of being up until almost 8 am.  Me? once up I am usually up for the day.

We had to be out the door by 8:30 am as we both had an appointment at 9:00 am..  It was unfortunate that appointment never happened as we had to be back to Wiarton by 10:00 as Rob was working, and had someone covering for him.  It is very difficult to sometimes get things covered when you have your own business, as customers depend and rely on you.  That is why you are in business and keep certain hours as to be their for your customers.

Rob dropped me off at home while he went on his way to the call he had to do.  He stayed to work the Wiarton area today, which was a nice "change up" for him to be close to home and come home in between calls.

I had another awful Migraine, so you can be sure the pressure has once again shifted with a change in weather just around the corner.

Since I could barely see out of my eyes, there was no going forward with doing up the remainder of the Crabby Cabbie's bookwork this day.  The clutter on the dining room table has been bugging as much as the paperwork needing done was.  Not much else got done, but I made certain the table was cleared and dusted off properly this day.

Although there is much in this house inside and out needing attention, regardless of how I might be feeling there are certain things that just HAVE to be done !!!

While making a pass around dusting the side of the dining room table closet to the China Cabinet (which is also in dire need of being dusted out), I stop to admire its contents.

I could not resist taking out my favourite Tea Cup.  This is a Tea Cup my Great Aunt Lizzie gave me for Christmas many, many years ago.  I really do love it, as well as the wonderful memories it has me thinking back on about my Auntie Lizzie.   Do you have a favourite item in your China Cabinet you enjoy admiring closely from time to time?

I did make a trip out to our mailbox to retrieve our mail, to be pleasantly surprised to find ...

... free Samples I am lucky enough to get from time to time, if I should be quick enough before they have all been spoken for.  It is nice to get free samples to "try before you buy", is it not?  I had also gotten a new debit card from our bank, RBC.  This I did not order, but when opening I found it was a new card which provided the Interac Flash.  Not certain I like the idea of a "flash" card that does not require a PIN # to be used.  Should someone come across my card, without me realizing it has gone missing, it would be my understanding from what I read that they could use the card up to $200.00 before a PIN # is required.  I think I will be calling RBC to remove this option from my card (as they do give you the option of removing it).

Rob and I did have to make a trip into Wiarton together today.  I had to stop into the Drug Store, and then we made a trip into Bennett's.  Rob has a young customer and his Mother who he has been transporting for over a year now.  At Easter we put this young man together an Easter Basket.  With Halloween just around the corner, we though we would put together a Treat Bag for him too.

We limited the amount of Candy, to include some Dinosaur stickers and other non-sweet items as well.  What eight year old doesn't like Dinosaurs? 

A longtime Facebook friend of mine had sent me a message this morning, pointing out there was a Video posted I might enjoy watching.  She was definitely right about that, as both Rob and I had enjoyed it..  I thought maybe it would be a great "share" for all you Pet Lovers out there to also enjoy at the following link:

http://www.edisproduction.de/2013/10/16/compilation-of-cats-stealing-dog-beds/

Thanks Cheryl !

Another friend, this one a Blogger friend, has recently published her first novel as an E-Book.  The article about its release can be found HERE.  And how on Earth would you get to learn more about yet another of my talented Blogger friends?  by way of dropping over to read all about it yourself by going HERE.  Way too go Cathy !!!  I can't wait until it is out in "hard copy" so I can myself a copy of Green Eggs & Weezie for my very own, since I don't do E-Books (sorry).

By the way, I just happen to LOVE "Pinky & The Brain" watching all their Saturday morning cartoons when my youngest boy was at the Cartoon Age/Stage in his life.

Should there be LOTS of grammar and/or spelling mistakes, or more then usual? so sorry, too bad, too tired to be anywhere sad about it.  *smile*

Truly it was a "not much of this or that & very little of anything" kind of a day here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

**Please note all photos and contents of this Blog belong to the Writer.  Please request  permission before using any content, photos or otherwise.  Should permission be granted,  photo credits are to be linked back to the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the  Checkerboard" Blog and its Writer. 

Doggie Parks & Turnip ?

Really my morning yesterday did not start out as good as it went on to be, as I had made myself a coffee first thing as usual, settling in to enjoy it while I did my social networking updates.  Halfway through the coffee I reached over to have myself another swallow to feel something between my teeth ... I spit into my hand to find it had been a DEAD FLY !

Omg, out into the kitchen it went and down the drain went the rest of my coffee !!  That was the end of coffee drinking right then and there at that moment.  I was fine until Rob called me and I was describing what had happened to me ... that was that, then came the dry heaves.  It really had not been a good start whatsoever.  Yech, yech, yech !!!  and a double big EWWWWW.

Back to a much better start with my coffee this morning, with hopes that never happens again.

Rob and I had an appointment in Owen Sound this morning.  Off we went to be over there by 9 am for when the First Choice Haircutters was open as Rob was in bad need of a hair cut.  While he was getting his hair "done", I was able to do a bit of shopping, managing to pick up a couple Christmas Gifts.  I pretty much think I have Christmas wrapped up already, other then a bit of this and that maybe and of course, Christmas Baking to be done.

When we got back into Wiarton I had received a "text" message from our pup's Forever Home to see if I could meet up with them at the Dog Park.  We had a bit of time, so off we went.

Rusty was having the time of his life with a couple of other Doggie Park "regulars".

Here is Rusty !  Other then apparently being pretty protective of his Forever Family towards other humans when first meeting them, Rusty is known to be quite the "smart" pup and absolutely loves other doggies to play with.  It is great to watch his progress since he is so close to us.

We finished with our doggie park visit then headed on back home.  

Last evening we had a local Wiarton Echo newspaper picked up for us by our driver as I had remembered I had been approached last week about my photos being used from the Food Bank Fundraiser Dinner on October 4th that I had the pleasure of being invited to by my friend, Gayle.  Of course I also wanted to see how well the fundraiser had done.

Hats off to Wiarton !!  Holy moly, $9,000.00 raised !!! that is beyond belief for a Community our size.  This just proves what I believe in ~ Unity Creates A Strong Community ~ with Wiarton once again proving this to be true.  Also it was nice to see Mandy Seboc's photo of Wiarton Willie was posted.  I believe she will honestly hold the title "Willie Whisperer", Mandy will.  *Smile*.

I was in total surprise to find my "Crabby Cabbie" had also made our local paper.  Thank you Wiarton Echo, this indeed was a most pleasant surprise.  Also I could not help but notice Gateway Haven's Annual Bazaar is just around the corner.  I attended to this same Bazaar a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  

Unfortunately there had been a disappointment this day.  I had made chicken broth yesterday, so today when in Owen Sound we had stopped into the No Frills grocery store to pickup a turnip as I wanted some to put in the Turkey Soup I am making tomorrow.

Rob peeled and sliced it for me to find it was "bad" inside.  It is almost appears as if it had been previously frozen and was rotting from the inside, out  This turnip at .57 cents a lb., almost cost me $3.00.  With produce being "In-Season" and supposedly local and fresh in the stores at this time of year, this had been a definite disappointment.  It is also being definitely returned when I am back over that way next.

The *sad* part about all of this was we drove by the farm fresh Dunkeld Turnip Waxing Factory the other week and missed stopping to get some there.  *Sigh* can't always think of everything, this I know, but a whole bag would have only cost $5.00 !!!  Hopefully we will be back down again that way sooner then later.

Did I manage to get anything done at home today other then a few dishes washed up?

Since this Autumn Clematis is quite aggressive by branching off with runners to re-plant itself, I actually got the one in the left picture all cut back this afternoon while out with Mercedes and Bandit.

Bandit and Mercedes had no problem amusing themselves while I work away at the clematis.  So much to get done inside and out, with no time to get at it most days. 

I think we have all felt like this sometime, or another in our lives, have we not?



All in all it had been a good day, other then seemingly going by me way too fast, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Wee Walk About With ....

I had plans today to go out on a wee walk about, leaving the house by 9:30 am.

I first stopped in to give my Mom a picture of my dad, Fritz, with his 3 brothers, as she hadn't had one there with her.  Of course Mom was happy for the photo and to see me.  Then I headed outside of Oxeden back towards Colpoy's Bay.  I love Fall.

Once I had picked up my Walk About partner, we took in some amazing sights just up the road.

It really was amazing watching the Coho Salmon heading up the stream to spawn.  Really a beautiful sight to behold it is.

Next stop was over at Denny's Damn in my Hometown of Southampton where Fishermen were out in their hip waders trying their luck at Trout Fishing in the Saugeen River.

Then our final destination happened to be one of the best stops ....

.... at my Auntie Gladys & Uncle Basil's for lunch with my young friend, Nathan Furry, who is visiting this week in Wiarton all the way from Australia again.  

Rob showed up in time for some of Aunties Egg Salad Sandwiches and dessert (egg salad are his absolute favourite kind and he insists Auntie's are the very best; nothing like getting himself more Brownie Points with Auntie, is there?).

It most certainly was another enjoyable visit with Nathan, as what we had ourselves at the first of the  Year, HERE & HERE.

Before we left town, Nathan had the opportunity to say "good-bye", once again, to my "Crabby Cabbie" Rob.

Back over Oxeden way Nathan and I stopped one more time to take photos of the beautiful escarpment across Colpoy's Bay.  Yes indeed Fall is beautiful.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my day spent with Nathan, and most certainly welcome any return visit he might make in the future to the Bruce Peninsula.

I had some pretty happy Aussies, as in our Australian Shepherds, when I returned home.  I was even happier that the rain had held off today until after 5 pm, as it made for a much more enjoyable day for Nathan and I on our wee walk about, then for me to spend time with the Aussies back home, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

**Please note all photos and contents of this Blog belong to the Writer.  Please request  permission before using any content, photos or otherwise.  Should permission be granted,  photo credits are to be linked back to the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the  Checkerboard" Blog and its Writer. 

Short & Sweet

I was up and at it with a plan in my head.  Have I not learned by now not to make plans, apparently not ?  I was all geared up to get tons of stuff done today, however other plans had been made for me, but I did get  my bed made.

I had to "cover" Wiarton for our Crabby Cabbie driver today.  Really it wasn't busy, it is just you think you can start something and you might get a call in the middle of it.

I had nicely gotten settled into organizing the bookwork that needs done and entered on the book by the end of this Month, and get a Chicken broth simmering on the stove top before I got a call.

 When I had returned from the Out-of-Town call, I took advantage of being downtown Wiarton to make some personal calls to drop off a few Crabby Cabbie cards to a couple of places.  While I was down at the Wiarton Chamber Office, I was thrilled Wiarton Willie had been out having his breakfast.

He truly is a cute little guy, and really not too shy whatsoever.  There had been about 5 people milling around taking pictures.  He was so busy eating corn and carrots he could have cared less.

There had also been more progress done on beautiful home located on the South Hill of Wiarton.  Definitely not a job for someone like myself who is scared of heights.  Thanks to the Wiarton Echo for the following article on this home: 

 http://www.wiartonecho.com/2013/06/26/grand-old-home-being--restored

Late this afternoon when Rob had returned home, he went out into the garden with me to pick some more tomatoes, as there is rain in the forecast for the next few upcoming days.  I am hoping once I get the Crabby Cabbie books done I will find time to do down some Stewed Tomatoes for this upcoming Winter.  I never had canned Stewed Tomatoes left from year to year, as I love using them in sauces, soups and stews.

I have to say how amazed I am at how fast the number of LIKES the Wiarton Facebook page has received over the past week.  It has well surpassed 500 LIKES.  Do you live in Wiarton, have ties to Wiarton, or vacation and drive thru Wiarton?  Then please give its Facebook Page a great big LIKE by doing so HERE.

Rob recorded last night's episode of The "Voice".  I am off to watch that with him before I call it a night, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

**Please note all photos and contents of this Blog belong to the Writer.  Please request  permission before using any content, photos or otherwise.  Should permission be granted,  photo credits are to be linked back to the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the  Checkerboard" Blog and its Writer.  

More To Be Thankful For ! I Am, I Am.

This morning we headed out after 8 am down the Highway South, as today we were having a Thanksgiving Gathering with Rob's Family.  I kind of feel a bit responsible, as we had not gotten together at Rob's oldest brother's for two years, and the other day I had called his sister, Delores, to ask if we were getting together this Year.  Pretty pushy on my part, was it not?  doesn't matter as they BOUGHT it and we got to go there today !!!  More to be thankful for, I am, I am ....

We had to go the round about way today, as I had something to drop off for Paul and Liz since they could not transport it home on top of Liz's little Mazda car yesterday.  I am to get "before & after" photos at a later date that I will post at that time.

The round and about way took us through Wellesley, where we spotted the Swans in the river while we crossed the bridge on our way to New Hamburg.

Once spotting us this Swan separated himself from the others to make his way towards us where we were standing on the bank.  I took off fairly quickly as memories of the Swans at Fairy Lake in Southampton were them being quite aggressive and scary, but then again maybe they had been sitting on eggs? and I had been too young to know such things.

It was however brief by the time interest in us was lost, as he made his way to maybe seek out the other three who by this time had crossed under the bridge.  Truly they are so elegant & majestic, are they not?

After we had dropped around to see Liz, we then made our way over New Dundee way to where Rob grew up at his parent's farm.

Many changes have taken place at the Home Farm since Rob had left there many years ago now, with it having changed ownership a couple times over the years.

With a bit more time on our hands before we had to be at Rob's brother's in Elmira, we made our way into New Dundee to give my long time friend a "surprise" visit at my home away from home.

Surprise, Bob ! it is us at your door .... and a lovely new door it is.

Rob had been by a few weeks ago, however it was the first I had seen evidence of the new in ground pool that was being installed.  It is HUGE !!  I can't wait until I go down next Summer for maybe an extended visit?

Tim had been sleeping, so hopefully we will get to see him next time around we are back down that way.

We made it to Rob brother, Wayne's, in record timing for a nice visit before Lunch was served.

A Ham & Scalloped Potato Dinner with all the trimmings really hit the spot.  Thank you for hostessing this family get together, Wayne & Marjorie.  It was nice to get a photo of the three eldest, Wayne, Delores and Rob.  Unfortunately Roger and Peter could not attend this day.  Thanks to Wayne & Marjorie's son, Brian, we had a group photo done.

Delores had brought along a video of a documentary on the Train they had been on when gone on their 40th Anniversary Cruise to Alaska.  I really enjoyed watching the video, as it was AMAZING ... check out what the video had been about by *clicking* HERE.

We made two stops on our way home.  One to get fuel, where the Old Order Mennonite Family had been stopped, and not to get their Horsepower fuelled up, but to use the pay phone, and then in Neustat to buy a 1/2 Bushel of eating apples, at a great price of $11.99.

By the way, all my Guinea Pigs really enjoyed the new Dessert Recipe I had tried out on them today.  The Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Icing had been a "hit", despite Delores asking me if I had forgotten to peel the pumpkin ... ha ! what a smartie she is.

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

Am I tired? of course who would not be tired after such a great weekend spent with family members and having so much to be thankful for, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

**Please note all photos and contents of this Blog belong to the Writer.  Please request      permission before using any content, photos or otherwise.  Should permission be granted,  photo credits are to be linked back to the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the  Checkerboard" Blog and its Writer.