Set Back On The Squat Challenge

What a wet dreary day it has been here today.  This morning I got off the hook by not getting drenched to the skin, however this afternoon when I had the Aussies all out and about I can not say I was so lucky.  The jacket I had thought waterproof, proved not to be.

My morning was spent busy from 9:30 am on downtown on errands.  Rob and I did decide to join the Wiarton Chamber of Commerce, so that was a first stop to drop around our application.  Part of being a member includes being on the Wiarton Website, visitwiarton.ca.  

Check out The Crabby Cabbie HERE.  Really it is kind of cool seeing our Business up on a website.

I had also dropped around to the Tourist Information Office to check if they had enough of our Business Cards available there.  I had thought the office had been moved back to the Train Station building, however found it back at the new building on William Street.  A lovely building it is I might add.

Drop in to the Wiarton Tourist Information Centre to find out where lodgings, restaurants, main attractions, and shopping locations are in the area. Open Daily 7 Days a Week. Coming in on Hwy 6 South, turn right at the lights on William Street, just past the Foodland Store on the left hand side across from the Wiarton Library.

Really Wiarton is growing !  They even have their own Facebook page now.  Drop over to check it out and show your support by giving their page a LIKE by going HERE.

With all these new changes going on in and around Wiarton, I am pretty happy Rob and I have gotten on board with The Crabby Cabbie as a member with its Chamber.

Today I had received an invite to the following Event.  However since I am not yet a Senior, I hope it was not a hint. For anyone and everyone in the Bruce Grey Counties, Senior or otherwise, check out what is happening over in Owen Sound on the 12th of June.

77 Exhibitors!

We are thrilled to announce that Dinah Christie will assist with the Opening Ceremonies at 10:00 a.m. and then present the first seminar at 10:30 a.m.! 70 tickets will be given away to lucky callers during the month of May on 560 CFOS!

Sponsors for 2013 are the United Way Bruce Grey, Season's Retirement Community Owen Sound, Sun Life Financial, Owen Sound and Sound, Speech and Hearing in Owen Sound and Essential Wound Management. 

Seminars: 

10:30 a.m. Dinah Christie, herself.
"Please come and meet her. She needs all the help she can get."

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Fraud Prevention with Mr. Ormond Carnegie, SeniorBuster, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Drive Wise with the O.P.P

Entertainment featuring:
Murray Smith and Friends
Taoist Tai Chi demonstrations
Skarni
The Salvation Army Golden Agers Line Dancers
Bluewater Chorus of the Sweet Adelines
OSSIA: Owen Sound Singers in Accord
And we're thrilled to announce that Tyler and Linsey Beckett will be performing at noon!

10:00 AM OPENING CEREMONIES to 10:15 
Dinah Christie, Francesca Dobbyn, UW Executive Director and Bill Walker, MPP Bruce, Grey-Owen Sound 

Tentative Entertainment Schedule:
10:15 or 10:20 to 10:40 Murray Smith and Friends
10:40 to 11:00 Taoist Tai Chi
11:00 to 11:25 Murray Smith and Friends
11:30 to 11:55 OSSIA: Owen Sound Singers in Accord
12:00 to 12:20 Tyler and Linsey Beckett
12:20 to 12:45 Skarni
12:50 to 1:20 Salvation Army Goldenagers
1:25 to 1:45 TAOIST TAI CHI
1:50 to 2:15 Skarni
2:25 to 2:55 Bluewater Chorus of the Sweet Adelines
2:55 Closing remarks: Mayor Deborah Haswell and Donna Gorrie 

For more information
519 376 1560
seniorsfair@gmail.com

Exhibitors: all spots are currently filled but we are still accepting registrations on a waiting list in case any cancellations occur. 

If you're interested in helping out promoting this event in Grey and Bruce or being a volunteer on the day of the event, please let us know. 

This Seniors Fair certainly sounds like a packed day of information and fun.  The cost of FREE most certainly sounds pretty alluring in itself.

For those gals who are participating in the 30 Day Squat Challenge with me, I am afraid I have had to sit today out, and not sure what tomorrow will bring, as I have somehow pulled a muscle in my lower back which feels very swollen and painful at the moment.  Hopefully this will not set me back too many days, however I will not be able to complete the whole 30 days for obvious reasons.  

Dang, dang and triple dang. To bad for Jane, as she will have to pick up my slack by doing extra .... sorry Jane, the price you  have to pay when your Hydro goes out, (so a little birdie informed me), and you have no generator for backup.

I had picked up some Beef Short Ribs the other day.  Today I am trying the Kraft Slow Cooker Recipe I found HERE.

I will be posting photos and commenting on what Rob and I thought of the recipe tomorrow.  On that note I am off to prepare some potatoes and veggies to go with the ribs as it will soon be our Dinner time, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Awesome Turkey Leftovers !

Last night a storm rolled in about 8 pm with the winds whipping up Hwy. 6.  It rolled on South as quick as it had moved in.  This morning it was still foggy and rainy.  By lunch time it had cleared and 4 pm the Sun made a show.  A nice rain after all the work people had done in their gardens this past weekend.

The past two nights I have been asleep by 10 pm and awake before 1:30 am.  It was two long nights.  By the time today rolled around I had nothing going for me in the energy department.  Other then the bed being made, errands done this morning, dishes washed, Aussies out and in today, that was about all that was accomplished.  Zilch ...

Days like today are when I am thankful for leftovers.  Awesome Turkey leftovers.  I made a Turkey Broccoli Divan, something I can not remember making before.  I followed the recipe to a T, serving it alongside Basmati Long Grain Rice.

Everything I had needed I had on hand.

The Divan was ready 20 minutes later at the same time the Rice was required to cook.  Timing could not be more perfect.

Either was a dish more perfect.  

Another Easy Peasy Recipe which will be a keeper in my kitchen.  Recipe was courtesy of Campbells at the following link:  http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/recipedetails?recipeid=27345

The next time I make it, I believe I will add in some fresh mushrooms, just because.

Of course I could not go a whole day without having myself a wee bit of cuteness .....

Cuteness and relaxation at its best.

I still need to clean up the dishes from Dinner, then call it a night that affords me more then a couple of hours sleep, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

A Weeding It Out Day

This morning Rob did up his paperwork before we headed downtown to the Bank and our local Foodland grocery store.

Rob took a drive down by the Wiarton Marina before heading home.  The fog had been heavy first thing this morning.

Alas Rob did not have the day off despite it being a Holiday Monday.  No rest for the Wicked they say.  With the amount of hours he works he must be really be wicked to the bone.

The rain they had been calling for this afternoon never materialized.  Laundry went out on the clothesline, and I began two more grids in my flowerbeds.

Before and After.

Before and After

What had been cleaned out of the flower beds and the tomatoes and leeks we had picked up this morning for our vegetable garden.  I had also bought some Parsley and Basil for the Herb Garden.

When Rob returns from the call he is out on, we will be enjoying a Roasted Turkey Dinner.

Updates:

30 Day Challenge Squat:  180 Squats (skipped the day of rest as I got my days mixed up)

52 Week Money Challenge:  Week 20 = $20.00 deposited

Truly this Victoria Day Holiday Weekend was perfect in every way when it came to how beautiful the weather was.  I can not imagine anyone complaining about it, as I sure had not been.

I am certain I would not surprise anyone if I were to say my back is sore, I am tired (what else is new), I can not wait for Dinner, I really wish I had a Fairy Godmother to do the dishes after Dinner, and I am really happy I got a big dent in one of my Flower Beds today, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Very First BBQ Of The Year

I was pretty excited today as we had been invited out for Dinner for a BBQ with friend's over at Labermore Park, not too far away from us by Berford Lake.  I had offered to make dessert, however needed something that was quick to make this morning with a guarantee it would be enjoyed.

"Really how could I go wrong with a Lemon Meringue Pie?  Lemon is always refreshing after a good meal."

Speaking of food, one of my favourite subjects, is it not a good feeling to make a Western Omelet to have it turn out almost perfect?

"Rob came home unexpectedly for Dinner last night, so a Western Omelet was made up in short order."

Poor Rob did not arrive home from work until 6 am this morning.  With not much sleep under his belt he got up for coffee, to do up his paperwork for the week, then fix the belt on the lawn tractor so we could tackle our lawn before it grew more into a hay field then it already was.

Bandit and Lexus came outside with us while I got going on the lawn, and Rob cultivated the vegetable garden.  Not to worry about Lexus wandering off somewhere or onto the Highway, she was tied to her spot under the big Maple tree out front so she could see me.

"Bandit is such a good boy.  He stayed right over with her to keep her company the whole time I had been cutting the lawn.  She was busy looking towards the wood shed with hopes of a squirrel heading her way I am sure.  She is such a pretty girl."

We were about halfway done the lawns and had came in for a coffee break when a car pulled in our driveway.  What a great surprise to see my Niece Stacey, her husband, Jay, and their two children, Logan and Keelan coming towards the house.

We had a fantastic little visit for the time they were here with us.  Keelan was such a good baby girl, who doesn't even make strange.

"Of course they could not leave without having their photo taken.  Really they do expect this to happen when dropping in at our house.  What a wonderful family they are.  I love them all so."

After Stacey and her family left, Rob and I got the lawn finished and ourselves showered before we headed out to our friends.

I didn't take my camera, as these people are new friends and I did not want to scare them off our first time at their place ...  I can't believe I didn't.  I must have been feeling a bit off today.  Ha !

We had an amazing first BBQ of the Year with Hamburgers, Sausages, Coleslaw, Ambrosia, Potato and Macaroni Salads..  Desserts?  Lemon Meringue and Cherry Pies, Peanut Butter Squares, and Broken Glass Squares.  I can't wait to make the Broken Jello Squares, as I LOVED them! so nice and light and yummy.

We had a great four hours away from home.  Rob and I needed that, as it is something we do not get to do very often together.

When we got home at 8 pm  it was time to take everyone out for their last romp of the day before putting them all to bed.  Oh yes, how about some Puppy Love? check the Everything 8 out by *clicking* HERE.

Rob is exhausted and I am tired.  On that note I believe I will be calling it a night here shortly, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

What A Beautiful Day

Another beautiful day for a Victoria Day weekend.  Really I should have been cutting our lawns that are growing into hay fields, but alas our Dear John Deere needs a new belt.  That situation will not be remedied until tomorrow.  Maybe we will be lucky to get it all cut then before the rain begins on Monday.

This morning I took notice to the flowers I received from my Son last Saturday for Mother`s day.

``Both the bouquet and the carnation I had received are doing pretty good after 1 week`s time.``

I did the usual chores here this morning.  I should have been out in my flower beds, however I had not seen my Mother since last Saturday and decided the flowerbeds could wait for another day.

I called up to Gateway Haven to tell them I would be there to have Lunch today with my Mother.  I thought I would surprise her.

``Lunch had been very good consisting of Barley Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bean Salad, Orange Sherbet, and coffee or tea, and a tomato juice for beverages.  Mom smiled on `cue`before I left.``

This week our visit was not as good as last weeks.  Last week Mom was her usual self.  Today Mom was very confused and disorientated.  When we had finished our Lunch at a little side room across from the regular dining area, Mom got up to go across to that area saying she was going to have lunch.  After I had gotten her back to her room and left, she had followed me back down towards the dining room three times to go back for Lunch.  Days like these make me *sad*.

I will be back to see Mom on Thursday as she needs to be taken to the Hospital for a chest x-ray as she has been having a persistent cough for months that the Doctor wants to take further precautions by checking more in depth.

Once I did finally leave, I stopped at a closed Garage Sale where there had been items left out with a `free` sign displayed.  How could I possibly pass up checking out `free`stuff ever.

``I got Tupperware Jelly moulds and containers.  A ruler, 2 zesters, and a wee strainer that are all sitting in the Better Homes Casserole dish with fancy holder.  A knitting book for a friend whose daughter is expecting her first baby with lovely lovely baby afghan patterns in it.``

See there are some things in life Free, if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time and place.... you can always have a *smile* for FREE ! don`t ever forget that.

I had stopped into the Cocoa Vanilla also today.  They have Artist Jennifer Crawley there today and tomorrow doing portraits for a small cost of $40.00 I do believe.

``I had been tickled to see Jennifer in her element as she was doing a portrait of a young man.  My first impression of Jennifer, other then her obvious talent, was her huge wonderful personality.  Really I was happy I did make a point in dropping by to meet her.``

Jennifer is apparently at the Cocoa Vanilla again tomorrow.  I know she had been booked for portraits today, however not certain about tomorrow.  Should you be interesting in learning more, please do so by contacting the Cocoa Vanilla at 519-534-3334.  If I thought Bandit could sit that long, I would surely take him to have his portrait done .. ha !

Oh yes, before I forget one of my most favourite downtown stores, The Cluttered Cupboard will be OPEN for Business tomorrow between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm.

``Should you not have been in The Cluttered Cupboard, really if you are in the area you should as I do not think you would be disappointed.  They are located behind Bennetts Great Canadian Dollar Store behind the Main Street.  Ample parking available back there as well.``

When I did get home everyone needed out, about and back in by that time.  This kept me busy for a bit, but I did manage to get a cup of coffee before I cleaned the Puppy Pen out.

``Surely from this day forward only means trouble for us as eyes have begun opening today.  Into the Recycle Blue Box then all went well I gave their pen a good vacuuming out.  It won`t be long that I will not be doing this much longer either.``

This past week has been such a wonderful week weather wise that I had the opportunity at different times to spend some one on one time with almost everyone here.  Drop over to The Checkerboard Aussies blog to see for yourself by *clicking* HERE.

I am off and running as I do believe that Crabby Cabbie husband of mine is going to try to come home to have some Dinner with me tonight, ``Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard``.

HAPPY Victoria Day Weekend !!!

Wishing all Canadians a Happy & Safe Victoria Day, May 2-4, Weekend ahead.  The weather forecast is looking good with highs in the 20's tomorrow, and T-storms not until the Monday when it is time to go home from the cottage or camping.  Usually in past years that has been opposite, not that I have to worry about that since I moved back to Bruce County 10 years ago now.

Remember should you be out having a Party and have consumed too much alcohol call MY "Crabby Cabbie" at Saugeen Shores 519-373-7000 and in Wiarton & areas 519-477-5950.  Arrive Home Alive with The "Crabby Cabbie".

Last night's Dinner I didn't have the energy to do much in the way of preparations.  I fell back on my old standby, the Versitile Egg, to whip us up a quickie Dinner.

"I chopped some Ham and Green Onions together to mix in 1/2 dozen farm fresh eggs, and before I knew it I had a very yummy Western Omelet, topped with Marble Cheddar Cheese, served up for the two of us."

This was the first time we had tried Maple Leaf Natural Selections Ham.  I found it a bit on the salty side, however the flavour was very good.  Needless to say there had been no salt added to my serving of omelet.

I did not have such a restful night as I was hoping for, as I am pretty sure I had been up and down at least 3 or 4 times to the washroom.  It didn't seem long before the early morning grey sky was showing outside our windows.

I was off as per my usual Friday North of the Checkerboard to my weekly Doctor appointment for my allergy shot in the arm.  Today I received a new prescription, as it seems I have now developed an alllergy to strawberries, as the last 2 time I ate them I had the "drive you crazy itch reaction".

"A safety precaution to keep on hand in my purse should I ever have a reaction and not be near a hospital, by administering the EpiPen to my thigh it will buy me time until I do get to a Hospital. Always better to be safe then sorry, is it not?"

Since I had to go get my prescription filled I headed into Wiarton to do so.  I had wanted to go in to town anyway, as today was the very first Wiarton Farmer's Market day of the Season, and was going to be in its new downtown location.

"What a beautiful day for an Outdoor Farmer's Market it was.  I was there while Vendors were still setting up their goods.  The Market runs every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, and it was not quite 10 am yet at this time."

"Here arriving with homegrown Lamb and Eggs is Anita of Dejong Acres Farms (I did help her with the box of eggs, after I had snapped the photo).  A cute little guy with his Mother were two of the first shoppers out at the Market.  Then why would I be surprised when I ran into a friend there? here is my friend, Lynn, who was having a day off to herself on the last day of her Holidays from work."

"Lynn and I enjoyed a Feta Turnover  we purchased from Colpoy's Creek Farm's table.  Trust me I choose the healthiest item off their table as the other goodies had been talking to me much louder, but I was strong!  YIKES ! look at that big bottle of Chipolte Maple BBQ Sauce with you. I am pictured along with Abby Miners of Miner's Maple Products, as I won this 1.89 L of BBQ sauce on a Facebook Give Away Miners' Maple Products had last month.  Rob's favourite kind, so you can imagine he is one happy camper."

I really think the new location of the Wiarton Farmer's Market is going to go over pretty good.  It is accessible to the Main Street with lots of parking up in the Public Parking lot behind the stores.  I will be looking forward to visiting more often this Summer.

Also don't forget the Lion's Head Farmer's Market begins tomorrow from 9 am until 12 pm.  You can check that out on Facebook by *clicking* HERE.

While I was downtown I also stopped into a couple of other local places of business.

"I dropped into Karen's Creations Scrapbooking just to see how the 5th Anniversary Celebrations were going.  A few girls were there all geared up for a day of Scrapbooking.  Sale prices will be carried on throughout tomorrow."

"Next stop was almost next door to Karen's at the Unfurgetable Petz store.  Owner, Kimberly Ives, has been a busy girl creating some amazing jewellery pieces.  These pieces run anywhere from $15.00 to $35.00 with proceeds from the sales going towards the Pet Rescue Kimberly had established.  Nice jewellery with a very good cause behind it.  Drop in or Call a 519-534-0610.  Oh yes, there is puppies there too !!!"

Before I forget, Wiarton is sporting a Brand New Facebook Page where you can keep notified with current events, and downtown specials.  Drop on over to Facebook to give their page a great big LIKE in support of your local community by going HERE.

I did manage to get back home at the Lunch Hour to some very happy Aussies.

The other day, Wednesday to be exact, I hadn't been feeling too well.  Yesterday I seemed pretty good, but after lunch today I got a chill in my body no matter how many blankets I covered myself with I was freezing. I had a hot drink after, then it turned into a hot sick feeling I begin having.  I did have a slight different kind of headache this morning, different in not feeling like one of my normal daily headaches.  I must some kind of a bug.  It is very difficult for me to tell some times when something is coming on since I have muscle pains from the Fibromyalgia, I usually do not know it is a virus I am sick from until it really hits me hard.  It will be hopefully a hot bath and early to bed for me tonight.

I always get so darn discouraged at times, as it just seems I get caught up with something and then I fall sick or have a "bad" Fibro day setting me back to where I was.  I had big plans of starting my gardening with this wonderful weather coming ... maybe a good nights rest will bring good things along with it tomorrow morning.  For some "tips" on coping with a bad Fibro day *click* HERE, keeping in mind what works for one might not work for the next person.  I am not giving up on wanting to get into my Flower Beds tomorrow !

I think that is just about enough rambling for one day.  I am going to head out to the kitchen to try a cup of Earl Grey Tea and make the best of the rest of the day ahead of me, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

The Upcoming Victoria May 24 Weekend

I can barely believe tomorrow marks the beginning of another Victoria Day May 24 Holiday weekend.  When I was younger we could barely contain ourselves for such a weekend to come around.  It didn't only mean an extra day off from school or work, it meant that Summer was just around the corner with a weekend of camping or outdoor fun to celebrate.

I can remember being a silly teenager with other friends taking a dip into the freezing Sauble River one year, just because ... other years of camping with it being cold, damp and rainy only for the Sun to appear on the Monday when it was time to head back home, just because... it was the May 24 Weekend.  I am happy those days are now behind me, as when I think of those times I shutter with thoughts of cold, just because... I am much older and wiser now.  Ha !

What is beginning in and around our communities is a few of the Outdoor Farmer's Markets.  Here in Wiarton the market begins downtown main street tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm.  Please take a peek at some of its vendors from one of my visits there last year within my day by *clicking* HERE.

Take note, the Wiarton Farmer's Market will be at the new downtown Wiarton location this Year.  Lots of parking up behind Saddler's Home Hardware side of the street.  While you are parked back there it would be a great idea to drop into The Cluttered Cupboard (right beside the back of the Hardware Store) as I promise you will not be disappointed.

Another local Market is held Saturday mornings in Lion's Head from 9 am to 1 pm.  I have visited this Market once, but loved it now I have and will return again this Year.  It was late in the Season, actually the very last day of this Market last Year when I attended to it HERE.

I LOVE outdoor Markets, I LOVE local products and I LOVE my Community, can you tell?

What did I do today? well I figured I best accomplish something constructive, and I still haven't gotten around to cleaning my fridge out *blush*, but what I did do was a big job to me in itself.

"First I rallied my cleaning crew together and ... "

"... we got going on moving, vacuuming and washing down the Dining room area and hallway floors."

That is a big job!  at least in my books it is.  I left the living room area to be done for another day.

It was well after lunch when everything was put back into its place.  Mind you there were 3 dogs taken in and out in-between the time it also took me to clean this area.  Big job !

Once I had a bit of lunch I made a coffee for myself and put in a phone call to a Blogger acquaintance I have gotten to know through her Blog, comments left on my Blog, and emails, all through our common interest of cooking/baking.  I was not a bit disappointed with my conversation with Lynn of Turnips 2 Tangerines one iota.  Thank you for the chat, Lynn, I look forward to more future chats some time.

I am so happy to get to speak to some of the people I have met through blogging.  It really does open up a whole new World for myself, and I am certain many others.  What is even more cool is to really hear the Voice behind the Writing !  Really cool.

Now for those of us who could use a dose of cuteness, you can find it right HERE.  You don't want to miss out on this update of cuteness.

With a dose of cuteness out of the way, we all can use a dose of good humour can we not?

Ha! I really do not think I have any worries in this department with my husband, as in 20 years of being together I can only remember a handful where he didn't like something I cooked.  However I do remember him commenting a few times on how I folded his pants, but I am pretty certain when I stopped folding his clothes that complaint might have stopped then ... and he is still here with me, so I don't think I smacked him too silly.  *smile*.

That was pretty much my day other then having a round of fetch with Bandit, Lexus and Mercedes earlier today, with videos to follow tomorrow.  Buddy? I need to purchase a new long training lead, with my goal this Summer being to teach him how to play with and fetch a ball for me.  This should be an interesting challenge for me I think, and maybe him too.

I am off to make our Dinner in the form of a Ham, Mushroom and Cheese Quiche, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".