You've Been a Friend

Sherry at My Journey Back has started a new meme. It is about friends that are precious to us and she's invited me to join. This looks like a lot of fun. I'm to write a post about a friend that means a lot to me, either a blogging or real world friend.

This week I'm going to write about my friend, Jo Ann. I met her in 1976 when I was selling Avon door-to-door. She had five children and I had one. Over time we became very good friends and we've been through a lot together.

We helped each other out as our children grew. We shared food, money and anything else. What one had, the other was welcome to. We've watched family members celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, weddings. We clung to each other and cried when family members passed on. We've held each other up, supported one another and cheered each other on. We've traveled dark valleys, climbed high mountains and stood on the top of those mountains and watched the sunshine break through the clouds.

Yes, Jo Ann and I have been friends since we were young women and now we're growing old together. Jo Ann has been a definite blessing to me throughout the last 32 years. Thank you, for being such a great friend.

Now I'm supposed to tag one friend to do this meme. Mmm! Such a hard choice, but I am going to tag Hootin' Anni. ;-)

If you would like to take part in this meme, just copy the button and then go to My Journey Back and add your name to Mr. Linky and then pass the meme along to ONE friend. How lovely that Sherry would encourage us to share one of the most precious gifts on earth - Friends.

Show and Tell Friday

It's time for Show and Tell Friday. If you would like to participate, drop over to Kelli's at There's No Place Like Home.

Last Monday, which was Thanksgiving in Canada, the boys came over to help me finish decorating the yard. We had started it about two weeks ago and hadn't had a chance to finish it.

First we took some Indian corn and tied it together with binder twine and hung it by the door. The photo doesn't do it justice. It is rather pretty.

While we were tying the Indian corn, Grandpa went to the basement and brought out the pumpkin head man that we've had for years. He is getting in kind of rough shape, but he still looks good lounging on the bale of straw.

We put a mum plant and some gourds and pumpkins beside him to brighten up the yard near the driveway.

Then we put up the ghost that I got last year. It has such a pleasant face and welcomes trick or treaters to the yard. We couldn't get it into the hard ground, so Grandpa put it in for us. Mmm! My fairy is lying on the ground. Looks like Meeko has been in the flower bed again. Grrr!

Then we added last year's scarecrow that will keep my new larger one company this year. We added a few cornstalks to the mix.

About three years ago the boys and I were at a holiday speciality shop and saw the groom from the Nightmare Before Christmas on sale. I bought one for their house and one for here.

A look at all the decorations from the top of the terrace steps. It looks kind of spooky, don't you think. Brandon was sure enjoying it after it was all done.

See that smile. And Anni, that witch hanging on the porch railing was given to me about five years ago by the boys. She has watched over the yard every Halloween since.

Jordan helped with all the decorations but for some reason didn't get in the photos. I think he was too busy raking leaves and trying to fill that big bag with the pumpkin face on it. After the decorating was done, we went to the front of the house where a poplar tree sheds leaves like crazy and filled that bag to the brim. I didn't get a photo when it was finished, but the boys took it home to set in their yard. They can't fill them they don't have many trees in their survey, except at the park.

We had a lot of fun decorating again this year. Oh, and notice the green Christmas lights that we are going to light on Halloween to make the yard look eerie. After Halloween, they will be shut off until December. I'm hoping that someday the boys will have many fond memories of decorating for Halloween at Grandma's.

It's colder here today and our lovely Indian Summer is gone. The wind is nasty and it has been overcast all day. Have a pleasant weekend, stay safe and take time to enjoy the simple things in life. ~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.

As always, I have much to be thankful for this week. Though I've been feeling a bit tired from my bout with the flu or whatever it was, I'm thankful that it wasn't worse. I am also very thankful for the following:

1. Great online friends who visit and comment.
2. To live in a province where we have a good health care system.
3. To live in a country where voting is a right and not a priviledge.
4. The freedom to vote for whom we chose.
5. For grandsons who love to come over and help decorate for the holidays.
6. For a lovely mini vacation with my grandson and mother. Many memories were made.
7. The completion (almost) of the upstairs apartment. It's been a long haul but it's looking great.
8. Birthday greetings and gifts from family and friends. I'm truly spoiled.
9. For phone calls from good friends at unexpected times. Enjoyed talking to you, Pea.
10. For the sights, sounds and fragrances of autumn. It is one of my favorite times of the year and the colors are just coming into their peak here.

I hope you have a great day. Remember to count your blessings and if you have a hard day, turn lemons into lemonade. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Birthday Surprise and Awards

I love surprises! When hubby came in from the mailbox today, he told me there was a parcel for me. A parcel!!! For me? Well, I must confess that I knew it was on its way.

Above you can see the package that hubby handed me. I was ecstatic. My dear friend Anni from Hootin' Anni's had told me that she'd sent a little something to me for my birthday and she teased me a bit about it like I did her when I sent her a little Halloween parcel.
I could hardly wait to open it. It was packaged well and I had to get the scissors and be very careful about snipping it as the tape was hard to get off. Anni had wrapped it well in bubble wrap.
When I removed the bubble wrap, this is what I found. A scarecrow couple. I was ecstatic! Now many of you will know that I love scarecrows and these are just delightful. I have never seen anything like them in the stores here. I LOVE them.
And they go perfect on the entertainment center with my pumpkins and other autumn decor. Thank you so much, Anni. I will treasure these always. They are a token of our friendship and each time I pass through the living room, I see them and think of you.

In the last few weeks I've been presented with many awards and with completing the apartment renovations and meeting my writing deadlines, I've been tardy getting them posted. I love each and every one of them.

Thank you, Storyteller!

Thank you, Storyteller!

Thank you, Anni!

Thank you, Jojo!

Thank you, Jeni!

Thank you, Jill and Grams!

Thank you, Mike!

Thank you, Renie!

Thank you to all my dear friends for these awards. I will certainly pass some of them along in the near future.

It was beautiful here today, but it isn't going to last. A cold front is moving in. I hope it gives us another day or two before it arrives. I love autumn and the days have been warm and the nights cool. Remember to take time to enjoy the season. ~Blessings, Mary~