May 12- One more Day 'til we leave for Vancouver

 Yesterday was a great day! We left Peterpatch around 8am and headed to Toronto. We had a full day planned. The two main things for the day was the Ripley's Aquarium then watch a production of Les Miserable @ Mervish Theatre.

The Aquarium was a great test for Night photography on my phone as they keep it so dim there. When I remembered to wait for it to finish processing I got some lovely shots like these

Sea Anemone

Star Fish

Look like dandelions to me

We visited the gift shop on our way out and I got another magnet for my fridge. That cute little purple guy.

After that we stopped for lunch, from a hotdog cart, I got a mild polish sausage, I ate the sausage and gave all or almost all of the bun to the birds. There were pigeons and wrens vying for it. The wrens are quick and if they can hold it in their beak they will take it, they even tryed with the much bigger pieces I threw out for the pigeons. It was quite funny actually watching this small bird try to take a piece of bread bigger than their head.

After we ate we still had a couple of hours before the show so we went across the street to look around the train museum. I saw an engine the size of a car and another made from wood as well as tons of model trains, they had three showcases full.

GS#1 would love it I think!

We headed back to the theatre stopping too get a beavertail at a place outside the aquarium. I was a bit upset about the service there and my beavertail was way too crispy but delicious anyway.

On the way back we went under this bridge, E told me what it was called but I don't remember. They had painted the walls on both sides with famous natives

Most of the paintings were defaced in one way or another which really saddened me. People should have more respect for their historical heros.

Les Miserables was excellent! It made me laugh and cry and gave me goosebumps like a good play should. E keeps asking why we had to see it twice so I remind him he saw Phantom of the opera 10 times so he really has no room to talk.

Something is a classic for a reason and Les Mis is definitly a classic.

I got 4 pins for my hat, they are pretty cool but I think my favourite is "One More Day".

We headed back home and tryed out the Local Boston Pizza which was a bit disappointing, service was so slow a meal that should have been done in half an hour lasted nearly 2 hours though the food was pretty good.

July 14: West Edmonton Mall

 

I will be honest by the time we got here I was beat but it was our last day before returning home so we spent an hour or so looking around. I didn't take very many pictures

The first thing I saw when I walked in was an Ice Rink and not a small one either, there was a hockey game going on. It was a peewee team but we didn't stop, it was cold in that hall.

I took a photo of the Map but it didn't turn out well so this one is from their website.

You can see how massive it is! 

There was so much to see that I was sad that I was too tired to really enjoy it, maybe next time we'll do it first instead of last.

I realize that this is nearly a year over due but it has been a very difficult time for me between dealing with the Cancer, GD #3's break down followed by my own, a bout of Covid and months stuck so deep in my head I wasn't sure I'd ever find my way out. I hope since then I have made some amends.

**The Power of Listening: 12 Essential Skills for Meaningful Connections**

In our fast-paced world, effective communication is key. Central to this is the often-overlooked art of listening. Listening isn't just about hearing; it's about understanding, empathizing, and truly connecting with others. Here are 12 essential listening skills to help you enhance your communication and relationships:

- **Active Engagement**: Show genuine interest in the speaker by using both verbal and non-verbal cues. Maintain eye contact, nod, and provide feedback to demonstrate your attention.

- **Empathetic Understanding**: Try to see things from the speaker's perspective and acknowledge their emotions. Reflecting their feelings back to them shows empathy and understanding.

- **Non-Verbal Awareness**: Pay attention to the speaker's body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. These cues can convey more than words alone.

- **Respectful Silence**: Allow for pauses in conversation, as silence can be just as powerful as words. This gives the speaker time to gather their thoughts.

- **Avoiding Interruptions**: Let the speaker finish their thoughts before responding. Interrupting can disrupt the flow of conversation and make the speaker feel unheard.

- **Clarifying Questions**: If something is unclear, ask for clarification. This shows your commitment to understanding the speaker's message.

- **Paraphrasing**: Summarize what the speaker has said in your own words to ensure understanding. This also demonstrates your engagement in the conversation.

- **Suspending Judgment**: Keep an open mind and refrain from forming opinions too quickly. Listen without judgment to fully understand the speaker's perspective.

- **Reflecting Back**: Repeat the speaker's words to confirm understanding. This can help clarify any misunderstandings and deepen the conversation.

- **Constructive Feedback**: If asked, provide feedback that is specific and constructive. Focus on behaviors or actions, and offer suggestions for improvement.

- **Being Present**: Stay focused on the conversation and avoid distractions. Give your full attention to the speaker to show respect and interest.

- **Practicing Patience**: Developing good listening skills takes time. Be patient with yourself as you work on improving your ability to listen effectively.

By honing these listening skills, you can enhance your communication, build stronger connections, and navigate conflicts more successfully. Listening is a powerful tool that can transform your relationships and enrich your life.

Adult Autism Awareness Day 17

 

Adult Autism Awareness Day

April 18, 2024

Help spread awareness about Adult Autism this April 2nd by joining in on the conversation for Adult Autism Awareness Day!

Introduction

On April 18, join in to celebrate Adult Autism Awareness Day! This special day has been celebrated since 2006 and was created to raise awareness about adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also a chance to recognize the contributions that these individuals make in society, as well as show support for their families. The goal of this day is to educate people about autism and provide resources and support for those living with it. So let's come together on April 18th to help spread understanding and acceptance of ASD!

Adult Autism Awareness Day Timeline

1911

Initial Autism Identification

Eugene Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, first used the term "autism" to describe symptoms of schizophrenia.

1943

Autism Defined as Separate Condition

Leo Kanner, an U.S. psychiatrist, distinguished autism as a separate condition from schizophrenia.

1972

Research on Adults with Autism

The need for studies and resources focused towards adults with autism began to be recognized within professional circles.

1980

Autism Included in DSM

Autism officially included as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).

2006

First Adult Autism Awareness Day

First celebrated in 2006, Adult Autism Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Present Day

Continued Advocacy and Awareness

Advocacy groups continue to push for greater awareness and resources for Adults with Autism, further mainstreaming the discussion about ASD.

How to Celebrate Adult Autism Awareness Day

1 Educate yourself

Autism Research Institute

Psycom

Autism Ontario

2 Volunteer

Look for volunteer opportunities in your area where you can help adults with autism. This could be anything from helping out with a local event, to providing support in a classroom setting.

3 Reach out

If you know someone who is living with autism, reach out and let them know that you are there for them. Offer your support and let them know that you care.

4 Donate

Support organizations that advocate for adults with autism. Donating money or time will go a long way to help those who are affected by the disorder.

5 Spread awareness

Talk to your friends and family about autism in adults and spread this important message as far and wide as possible.

Why Adult Autism Awareness Day is Important

A) Raising awareness of autism in adults

Adult Autism Awareness Day is an important day for raising awareness about autism in adults. Many people are unaware that autism isn’t just a disorder that affects children – it continues to be a disabling condition in adulthood too. Raising awareness helps people understand the unique needs and challenges faced by those with autism into adulthood.

B) Encouraging acceptance

The world can often be less than understanding of people with disabilities, yet understanding breeds acceptance. Adult Autism Awareness Day aims to educate society so that those living with autism can feel accepted and embraced for who they are instead of faced with ignorance, stigma or discrimination.

C) Improving resources

Raising awareness also allows us to better understand the needs of those with autism to provide more appropriate resources and support. Adult Autism Awareness Day hopes to bring attention to the unique issues faced by adults on the spectrum and continue improving the resources available to help them navigate their lives successfully.

It's still poetry month

 In my reflections, I've realized a startling truth—I've been inadvertently starving myself. It's not a deliberate choice, I assure you. Cooking has become a rarity in my routine; instead, I rely on Meals on Wheels and Walmart Grocery delivery for sustenance. My diet has dwindled to two meals a day, which might seem sufficient, except these meals only meet half of my daily caloric needs.

Living on a fixed income, finances are always a concern. The soaring prices of fresh produce make it challenging to meet my nutritional requirements. The frozen dinners from the local grocery store offer a more affordable alternative, though I wonder if they match the nutritional balance of Meals on Wheels.

My solution? Combining fresh produce with frozen meals. This way, I can ensure a more balanced diet, even if there's no guarantee I'll receive everything I order. This mix-and-match approach provides a variety that Meals on Wheels doesn't offer, allowing me to eat more properly, even in the face of uncertainty.

Okay :) A prose poem without a title, merely my thoughts arranged more neatly. I penned an extensive narrative and requested the ChatGPT transform it into poetry. Writing is the only method I use to channel distracting emotions and thoughts. It is my hope that they are also words others can read and gain insight from. The 6 days I've missed I will try to make up and I'm sorry to anyone who planned to use my themes for their writing that I messed up on the publishing. Each poem below is in a different poetry style. Enjoy!

The theme list for this month:

I left off at Embracing Imperfection.

April showers fall, In each drop, nature's renewal, April showers fall. Life's cycle, a constant call, Reviving the earth, its annual accrual, April showers fall.

Lilac Budding, fragrant Blooming, growing, thriving Nature's delicate beauty Tree

Spring's Awakening,                                                     Nature's vibrant renewal.

In a child's eyes, Easter's joy reflects, A time of wonder, belief, and delight, In simple joys, their happiness projects.

Tax time blues, a hue of gray, Forms to fill, bills to pay, Numbers dance in disarray.

Receipts scattered, a paper storm, Calculations, a mind forlorn, April's burden, a financial norm.

But amidst the blues, a silver lining, Taxes done, a sense of refining, A fiscal landscape, slowly aligning.

5 Senses/Poetry Month Words on paper, colours dancing, imagination soaring, Fresh ink, like flowers, and the smell of old books, Sweet verses, like honey, and the taste of rhymes, Whispers of stories, and laughter of characters, The sound of dreams, and the rhythm of hearts, A warm embrace of words, like a cozy blanket.

International Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day 13

 

Time

 I've missed a couple of days because I am not feeling well at all. I want to blame the rain but that I think is only part of it.

I do not like where I am in my head right now so I figure if I write it down maybe it will stop bothering me.

E once again denied me permission to move back in with him even though he says that he misses me when he is back there. At this point I have had enough, he says he loves me but that is not shown in his reactions.

I am aware that I really don't have the right to live with him and I understand that after I left twice he doesn't trust me but if that is so why does he not just kick me out of his life once and for all.

I have tangled him tight in the family drama I live with but he is more than capable of backing off and going his own way. Some days I wish he would, other days I don't know what I would do without his financial protection especially when it come to medications and stuff. I would manage without the phone I think as that is the major hold he has over me, he pays my phone bill.

I am a kept woman just not a well kept one and until recently I accepted that. Until recently I was happy for that but these days... I feel trapped in a place I do not want to be in, a town I do not want to be in, a life devoid of meaning for the most part. The tears always seem close and I do not cry often.

Last night between E and Nessa I felt like I had no control over my life at all, merely pushed by one or the other in the direction they want to take me in, no thought if I wanted to be where they want me to go.

tears, tears and more tears as I sit here and try to figure my way out of this situation. My whole mind and body say run but that takes money and mine is all spoken for at least until January of next year because of the stupid Adobe stuff. Do not ever sign up for one of their packages you are stuck with it for a whole year unless you are willing to pay some kind of penalty amount, which I might just do to have it gone but again money I don't have.

I have been giving some thought to getting the hell out of here, just hop a bus and see how far I can go before I run out of money but that means leaving bills unpaid. Some of course I can cancel at any time like the internet but again that stupid adobe stuff...

I am hesitant to post this but E says he likes to know where my mind is at and what I'm doing, so here you go E, make of it what you will. I am too tired to fight and too fed up to stay still so if one day I don't answer the phone or call you back you will know I have left and I have no idea where I'm going to end up.