Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

There's always lots to be thankful for. We in North America are very lucky. We have basic needs such as water and shelter that people in other areas of the world go without. Of course there are some unfortunate people in the US and Canada also, but nothing compared to those in third world countries.

This week I'm thankful for:

1. My mother. Mom is 80 years old. She lives in her own house, drives her car and generally is very independent. She is always there if I feel I need to ask advice of a more experienced person. Mom loves her family dearly and never hesitates to lend a helping hand if she can.

2. For my husband. We've been married for over 19 years and though we have had our ups and downs, just like all couples, we always seem to weather the storms.

3. My grandsons, who call often and like to come over for a visit. On Wednesday we took a couple of hours and went to the driving range where they drove a bucket of balls. Then we had lunch and I took them home. They were well behaved and we had fun.

4. For plumbers who can find hairline cracks in plumbing. This could have spelled disaster in the future.

5. Hot water. For 24 hours this week, I didn't have any. Our hot water tank sprung a leak and had to be replaced. This made me realize that there are some things we take for granted. We turn on the hot water tap and expect there to be hot water. Usually there is, but sometimes there's none and then we know how lucky we are to have so many modern conveniences at our disposal. When I was a child there was no indoor plumbing or taps to turn on. I guess I'd forgotten what it was like to heat water on the stove.

6. Aunt May. She called me last night and we visited for about a half hour. She isn't well and I've noticed lately that she is getting a little confused and forgetful. She has two spots of cancer in her head and I believe the cancer is growing. She will know more when she goes for her checkup this coming Friday. Please pray for her.

7. For renovations getting done slowly but surely. Our helper could only come two days last week but this Tuesday and Wednesday he did a super job of getting things done upstairs.

8. Meeko. He gets me out in all kinds of weather and is a loyal and faithful companion. He gives love unconditionally. He is comical and makes me smile even when things are chaotic.

9. For family, neighbors and friends, both online and in the real world. Friends are precious. Nuture your friendships and remember that a good friend is more precious than all the gold on earth.

10. That I have been truly blessed in many different ways. I often take a few moments to count those blessings. Others aren't as fortunate as I am and but for the grace of God go I.

What are you thankful for today? I would enjoy hearing how you have been blessed in the comments.

Have a great Thursday. Take a moment to do a kindness for someone. You never know what they are going through. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

Thankful Thursday gives me an opportunity to let my readers know how I've been blessed in the past week. This week, as always, I have much to be thankful for.

1. The renovations are coming along nicely, thanks to my neighbor's son. He is doing a great job and is a good worker. I am thankful that he is willing to work for us and help us two old fogies get this apartment finished.

2. For grandsons who love to have fun with Grandma and act silly. They have a new nickname for me. Ug-Ma. That is caveman lingo for Grandma. LOL Michelle asked me if I know what they were calling me behind my back. I told her that I knew and they said it to my face. I am not offended. They are having fun and that is what life is all about. The conversation at the Thanksgiving Table when I am gone will go something like this, "Do you remember when we called Grandma Ug-Ma? And they will laugh and say, "And she didn't even get mad." Sweet memories and they do it all in fun.

3. For clean water. Clean water to cook and clean with, clean water to drink and clean water in which to swim. We in North America are truly blessed. There are many countries in the world where there is little water and even then it is dirty and muddy looking. I watched a documentary on TV this week about the countries in the world who do not have clean water to drink, bath or cook. I am truly thankful for the water that comes out of my tap when I turn it on.

4. For a clean bill of health from the surgeon. I had been referred to my family doctor to a female surgeon so she could look at a spot on my breast. She told me to observe it but she believes it is nothing. I am truly thankful.

5. That Aunt May's blood count is up and she is feeling a little better than she did last week. She will not have any more chemo for at least 5 weeks. The doctors had given her two months to live and she has passed that. I am truly thankful that she is able to still get around and talk to me on the phone. We enjoy talking about bygone days and she and I always have a good laugh about something.

6. For blogging friends. Each of you hold a special place in my heart and thank you, Pea, for the lovely chat and the laughs we had on the phone on Wednesday. I value your friendship.

7. That Meeko only had colitis and not something far worse. Colitis can be dealt with through meds.

Be sure to count your blessings. Look for the silver lining in every cloud, as Grandma used to tell me. When lemons come your way, take time to evaluate the situation and then make the lemons into lemonade.

Have a great day and enjoy the beauty around you. ~Blessings, Mary~

Award and Thankful Thursday

Nancy at Nancy's Nonsense shared this. It originated with Memoirs of a Mommy who created this award in honor of the donor that saved Noah's Life. Noah is her son, and he had a heart transplant when he wasn't even a month old. This dear little boy just celebrated his first birthday earlier this month!! Her hopes are that in passing this award around, we will create more awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Please take a copy of this award and post it with a link back to Memoirs of a Mommy and help promote organ donation.


Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

This week I have much to be thankful for:

1. Food on the table and a roof over my head.

2. The beginning of the end of the renovations, though there is still quite a bit to do. However, it's nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

3. Friends, both online and in the real world who are kind and caring. Friends are more precious than gold.

4. For medical professionals in every field.

5. That my Aunt May is still getting around, though her blood count is low and she is spending a lot of time resting. She is finished her chemo for at least 5 weeks. They cannot give her any more right now, as her blood count is too low and the chemo would make it even lower. She wasn't in such high spirits when I talked to her Wednesday night. Please keep her in your prayers.

6. For the love of family, especially grandsons who phone and say, "Hi Grandma, watcha doing." I love that phrase. It makes my heart sing.

7. For cooler temperatures, beautiful blooms in the garden and bird song at dawn and dusk. There is nothing like the beauty and music of nature.

I hope you have much to be thankful for today. We are very lucky in North America. I ask you to pray for those less fortunate and for all those that are in the path of Hurricane Dolly. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

It's been awhile since I participated in Thankful Thursday. Mostly because I've been busy and keep forgetting what day of the week it is. Here are some things I'm thankful for this week.

1. Getting the plaster and lathe out of the smallest bedroom in the rental apartment at a good price. The man who put up the gyprock also gave us a very fair price.

2. For my mother who is in fairly good health for her 81 years. She has had two mini strokes in the last 5 years and is still going strong with no negative results. She drives, helps family and is very independent.

3. For grandsons who are willing to learn about renovations and lending a helping hand. They are good boys and did a great job.

4. Food on the table, a roof over our heads, central air in the summer and heat in the winter.

5. For good neighbors who will lend a hand and expect nothing in return, though we try to return the favor whenever possible.

6. Nature. Some of my greatest joys are found in the animals and birds that frequent the area. A blue jay has been stopping by and so I put out some peanuts-in-the-shell for him to enjoy. He is a gorgeous creature. We also have raccoons and squirrels that delight us with their antics.

7. For a husband who knows how to tape and mud drywall. The job will soon be done.

For all blessings received, I am thankful. It seems there are so many positive things in the world and I try very much to focus on each of them. Remember to count your blessings and look for the silver lining in every cloud. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday and Wolves in our Area

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

I am thankful for many things in my life. Here are a few things I am especially thankful for this week.

* Having a roof over my head, food on the table and warmth in the house during the cold, wet spell we are going through at present. Some are not as fortunate.

* For the weather being nice enough on Tuesday that I was able to get out and get some things done in the yard that needed to be done.

* Having a wonderful mother who brought me forget-me-nots, bleeding heart and lily-of-the-valley from her garden. Mine were lost when the contractor did some work for us. I'm so glad to have these beautys back in my yard.

* For having access to free medical care and for my cancer checkup this morning. It's marvelous that I can be checked annually to be sure I remain cancer free. Please pray that the results will continue to be negative as they've been now for 14 years.

It's surprising how much wildlife can be in an area and the people living there have no idea that it exists. We go about our busy lives never knowing what animals live nearby. Yes, we see birds, squirrels and raccoons, but did you ever think about the wildlife that exists in your area that you don't see?

My husband is on the road all night, every night. This spring he has seen large groups of deer in urban centers across southern Ontario. On Monday night he saw something that many of us will never witness. As he took the ramp to gain entrance to the 403 highway, he saw that a deer had been hit and killed. That in itself is unusual, as the police usually have the carcasses taken away immediately. What was very unique about the experience is that a large wolf was feeding off the kill. From his description of a wolf that was larger than our Alaskan malamute, Meeko and with about the same coloring lets me know that what he saw was a Timber Wolf.

A timber wolf is also known as a gray wolf. These animals usually mate for life. They can weigh up to 175 lbs and be as long as 6 feet from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Not something you would want to meet up with unsuspectingly. They vary in color from white, to pale gray, to black and some are multiple colors. They have between 4 to six cubs born in the spring of the year after a 63 day gestation period. They are pack animals and packs can range from as little as two wolves to as many as 30. An average pack is usually about 4 to 6 animals. An alpha male and female are the leaders of the pack.

Hubby knows that he was witness to a very rare sight when he saw the wolf feeding off the deer kill. I wish I had been there to see it. I have only seen a wolf in it's natural habitat once in my entire life and it was running down the side of the road. A spectacular sight and one I will never forget.

Take time to contemplate what animals might live behind the scenes in your region. I would love to hear about them and also about your sightings of anything unusual.

Have a wonderful Thursday. ~Blessings, Mary~

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find out all the information there.

I have many things to be thankful for again this week. We are so blessed in Canada and the US.

1. Spending time with the grandsons on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday we went to the farm and the boys had a lot of fun playing with an autistic boy named Hunter on the trampoline. When the boy first got there, he didn't want to get out of his grandmother's van. By the time he was done playing with the boys he was making a date to play again next Tuesday.

2. Thankful for meeting Hunter. He and I had a good conversation. He is a dear. Between the three boys, they really made my day.

3. That hubby's test results will be in Monday. Please keep us in your prayers.

4. For having my mother to celebrate Mother's Day with again this year. When Mom had her stroke in 2006, we wondered if we would have her another year. She recuperated 100% and is very independent.

5. For the pleasure of taking Brandon and Jordan shopping for Michelle's Mother's Day present today. They chose a resin goldfinch for the window box on their back deck and a teddy bear. She will love both gifts.

6. God has blessed me by making me a mother and grandmother.

7. For spring blooms and bird song. Today I heard several beautiful birds singing in the trees across the street.

8. For the pleasure of seeing the yearling raccoon that lives in the tree at the end of our driveway. He was sitting in the hollow and peeking out. Meeko drew my attention to him. He was adorable.

9. That I have Meeko in my life. He does make me laugh with his antics and he draws my attention to things that I would sometimes miss. He watches birds, squirrels, raccons and other wildlife and he gets me out in all kinds of weather like tonight when I took him for his walk in the rain.

10. For spring showers. It was wonderful walking in the rain. No one else was out and it was so peaceful. I had my coat on with the hood and so I wasn't getting too wet. I could smell the fragrance of spring and the freshness of the Earth.

Not much other news here. Enjoy the beauty of spring and be sure to take the time to stop and smell the roses. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find out all the information there.

This week I have a lot to be thankful for. I am always greatful for blessings received and don't take anything for granted.

1. I'm thankful for the researcher who realized that animal therapy could help us cope with both physical and mental disabilities.

2. For the people who run the farm where the boys go for their animal therapy each week.

3. For the animals that give of their love and affection to help the boys through the hard times that they experience. Both boys love the animals but they have especially helped Brandon cope with his Asperger's Syndrome.

4. I'm thankful for having legs that can carry me wherever I want to go. Many aren't so fortunate and though my legs sometimes cause me a lot of pain, I can still use them to get around.

5. I'm thankful for my eyesight and the eyedrops that keep my eye pressures low. Yes, I have been remembering to use them everyday.

6. For blood sugar levels that are not as high as they once were. I started taking a new medication two years ago and the results have been amazing.

7. For friends both online and in the real world. Friends are the blooms in the garden of life. Please be sure to take a copy of the button for your blog if you'd like.

8. I'm thankful that my aunt who has bone cancer is still with us. She has some pain and she's been told that the cancer will never go into remission, but she is holding her own - she's always been a fighter and not one to give up.

9. For answered pray, whether or not it is answered in the way that I was hoping for. God knows what's best for us better than we do.

10. For having the freedom to worship as I see fit and for the soldiers who risk there lives for us to continue to experience that freedom. Also for the ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Please leave a comment telling me what you are thankful for today. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday and a Fun Country Show

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find out all the information there.

As always I have much to be thankful for this week.

1. That Barry, Michelle and the boys will be staying nearby. I love being able to take the boys out and do things with them. Things as simple as taking a walk in the woods, going to the park, playing a game of baseball, riding bikes, watching a movie and of course, visiting the farm.

2. I'm thankful that Mom is in fairly good health and is still able to do things with us. We are so lucky to have her with us.

3. That we have food on the table and a roof over our heads. Some are not so lucky. We may not always have what we want, but God provides our needs.

4. For friends that touch my heart every day. One such lady did so today and she knows who she is. Thank you, my dearest friend for making my day.

5. For babies, robins, red-winged blackbird, hawks soaring overhead on the wind currents, flowers, signs of spring, sunrises and sunsets and other beauties of the Earth. I am a nature girl and all of these things bring me joy.

6. For Meeko who brightens our life with his antics and he takes us outside in all kinds of weather with his walk. He tries his best to keep us in shape.

7. I'm thankful for the little girl at the grocery store who held the door and started up a conversation when I thanked her. We had quite a talk and her mother was so kind to allow me to have that conversation. A random act of kindness that touched my heart. That little princess made my day.

8. For grandsons who want me to buy my fishing license so we can go fishing together.

9. For a husband who is diligent, hardworking and puts up with me even when I'm not having a good day. Sometimes he should have a medal. Of course sometimes I should too. LOL

10. For all the blessings that God bestows upon me each day. For all this I am truly thankful.


My husband is crazy for Patsy Cline. Mom loves all of the music that the great old entertainers brought to us via the radio when I was a kid. Sooo, a couple of weeks ago Mom phoned and asked us if we would like to go with her to see Connie Burton as Patsy Cline.

I was a little leary because I've found that many impersonators don't do a good job. I must tell you, I'm glad I went. This little lady is good. There was a few times I noticed that she didn't sing a note just as Patsy would have, but they were very few. She did a smash-up job of impersonating one of the greatest country and western singers of all time.

Hubby and I don't get out often and this was a wonderful outing. Thanks, Mom. We sure appreciate it.


Yesterday when I posted about Asperger's Syndrome, Edge of Design asked this question:

Would you mind refreshing my memory Mary? While reading more about AS, I was wondering what it again that alerted you to the possibility it might be something like AS and not just a personality thing? I'm just waking up so some of the details are sketchy to me. I think what it is I really would like to know is if someone's children were diagnosed with Autism, could they actually be suffering from AS and not know it?

When Brandon was young, he used to line things up rigidly. If they were moved out of place, he would instantly align them again. I mean perfect alignment. He would spent hours doing this. Another thing we noticed was that he was obsessed with trains - all kinds of trains and by the time he was about four years old, he could identify a cross-section of a steam engine. By this I mean all of the parts. Besides this, he did have meltdowns from the time he was about 3 or 4 months old - usually because he was too hot. I mean he would scream until we realized that he was too warm. As he grew older, he had meltdowns about other things and as he got older, the meltdowns became worse, especially if there was a change in his routine. He had a lot of problems at clock change. He still has some issues with this, but not near as bad as he used to.

One of the specific indicators that he was on the autism spectrum was what we called, Brandon's little dance. When he became excited he would flap his hands and do a little dance. He would bring his right elbow down and his right knee up until they almost touched - very similar to the dance that football players do when they score. We thought the hand flapping and the dance were cute. Little did we know at that time that these were specific signs of autism.

Brandon started Junior Kindergarten when he was four and he had a very good teacher. This same teacher taught him in Senior Kindergarten and it was then that she told us that Brandon had problems socializing with the other children. We thought that odd because he usually got along well with kids his age. However, matters continued to get worse at school and we had no idea why.

Brandon was very smart and went on to grade one. That year he had a teacher who had just graduated from Teacher's College. She knew nothing about working with special ed children and at this point we still didn't know that Brandon had Asperger's Syndrome. We had many problems that year. Brandon was very curious about certain things. One boy in his class had really curly hair. Brandon would stand behind him in line and touch his hair. He was asked over and over not to do this, but continued. The teacher and principal labeled him as bad. We knew this wasn't true and couldn't figure out what was going on. Usually about four days out of five when I went to pick him up from school he was in the principal's office for some small infraction of the rules. Brandon touched someone. Brandon wouldn't sit in circle. Brandon wouldn't join in a group. Well, children that have Asperger's do not like to be in a group. So, finally we took Brandon to a behavior specialist and he tested Brandon. Several appointments later and after a trip to a child psychologist at Chedoke Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Brandon was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Before the beginning of the next school year, Barry & Michelle moved so Brandon would no longer have to attend that school. That is the year that he got Mrs. V for a Vice Principal. Mrs. V had been a special education teacher before she became a VP. She saw right away the tendencies that Brandon had and went to work to have him formally identified as PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Defined.) She wanted this identification so he could have an Individual Educational Profile. This allowed him to have a educational assistant to help him in the classroom and also allowed him special privledges in areas in which he had problems. Over the next two years, with Mrs. V working on his behalf, he learned a lot and improved greatly. He is doing great at this time and is learning to cope with daily life with far less problems.

Now to answer your other question Edge.

I think what it is I really would like to know is if someone's children were diagnosed with Autism, could they actually be suffering from AS and not know it?

Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism. So, if the child has been diagnosed with autism, it depends if he is at the high or low functioning end of the Autism Spectrum. Asperger's and PDD-NOS are much the same. The reason that Brandon was formally identified with PDD-NOS is because if he had been formally identified with Asperger's Syndrome, he would not have been eligible for an educational assistant. Brandon's only physical attributes that show are somewhat of a large head, a bit of awkwardness in his motor skills and an odd gait. People who are not familiar with AS would not know that he has issues.

Low functioning autistic children often do not talk until almost two years old and sometimes never learn to talk in the way we call normal. That is a word that I hate. What is normal for one is not normal for another. We are all different. Low functioning autistic often have to be put into group homes as they age. Brandon, if we teach him all he needs to know, will live on his own and do just fine. Low functioning autistic children will have severe mental and physical challenges. I count my blessings every day that Brandon is high functioning autistic.

Brandon was actually a blessing to our family. We have learned so much from this young lad. He has taught me to look at the world through his eyes and it is a much different world when I see it from his point of view. Liken it to a tapestry. We see the entire thing while kids with Asperger's Syndrome see every thread. It is a complicated world for them.

Edge, if you are still with me, I hope that I have answered your question. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask. If I don't know, I will research it and find out. The more educated we become on the subject of Autism, the better it is for all concerned.

Take care and have a wonderful Thursday. Sorry the post was so long. ~Blessings, Mary~