Autumn days.

Hello friends, Sorry it always seems to take me so long to post.
We've been very into the swing of fall/autumn.It is my most favorite time of year.
The start of fall is very significant to anyone who is involved in hockey.We have season tickets to The Seattle Thunderbirds and Daniel plays hockey as well. So fall is the kick off to that season.

 

I took a friend with me who had never been to a hockey game before and introduced her to that and all the goodness that is poutine.Which she also really liked.We had so much fun.

Ariel and I worked on centerpieces for the party.We had candy galore everywhere.I made what they call eye candy jars. I also made boxes. Using Peeps, licorice ,black, orange & yellow jellybeans, orange and black taffy and many other kinds of candy like gummy worms and even threw in some plastic eyeballs. Ariel and I thought they turned out pretty cute. Normally you use much bigger jars for these,but since I had to make so many I decided to just use dollar store vases and candy boxes from Walmart.

 Wish my photos were clearer oh well just quick shots with my phone.

             I also got all my fall decorations up.

           Daniel and Michael with goalie Roddy Ross.

               The Seattle Thunderbirds Team 2019

 After the party Ariel started getting her nerve blocks again.So far she's had two and gets her third tomorrow morning . She loved the Finding Nemo room. These are always followed by Physical therapy.She had to go in her wheelchair due to having  a lot of seizures before and after the blocks .Always fun to see Miss Shelly. She makes P.T. fun.

The guys and I also got some zoo work in.We've volunteered for Point Defiance Zoo And Aquarium for seven years,but haven't been able to do much in the last few due to Ariel's health being so poor.We carved pumpkins and worked Zoo Boo.We did a spider game with the kids.

The guys had a lot of fun playing games with the kids and handing out candy.

 Although Ariel wasn't able to work at the zoo she had fun decorating her pumpkin and house.

 

We also went to the movies a few times.

 My cousin and I also went to The Holiday Food and Gift Fair st The Tacoma Dome.
It was so much fun looking at all the pretty decorations and trying all the yummy samples. I was good though and only bought a piece of fudge. It was good,but so far the very best fudge I've had is sold at Cabela's.They have this old fashioned shop and make tons of flavors my favorite so far was the pumpkin pie.I didn't think it would be that good,but it was delicious.

Well I need to run and get Ariel off to her appointment.I'm hoping to take her to trunk or treat tomorrow or some other fun event.If we do I'll post more pictures.

The therapeutic quality of animals.

 

There's something very therapeutic about animals.I don't know what it is,maybe it's the fact that they love you unconditionally.They don't care what your I.Q. is or whether you can walk or talk or see or hear.They just love you no matter what.

 

            Ariel and ShiFu picking and eating blackberries.



There are many places that offer therapeutic horseback riding.Ariel got to ride horses at Give Kids The World when she was on her Make A Wish trip.

 
For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem. The sense of independence found on horseback benefits all who ride. The therapeutic qualities of horseback riding are recognized by many medical professionals, including the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Individuals of all ages, with a wide range of physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities benefit from therapeutic horseback riding and other equine activities. The types of disabilities and conditions served include:

• Amputee
• Autism
• Brain Injuries
• Cardiovascular Accident/Stroke
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chemical Abuse
• Down Syndrome
• Emotional Disabilities
• Hearing Impairments
• Learning Disabilities
• Mental Retardation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Post Polio Speech Impairments
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Visual Impairments

Service dogs are also wonderful for those with disabilities.There are service dogs that help with the blind,the autistic,the disabled and those that are bred especially to service those individuals with seizures.Such as the ones that the http://www.chelseahutchisonfoundation.org/

Helps to provide people with.They can help during a seizure and some of the dogs can even alert that a seizure is coming.

We had been looking into something to do.Ariel is severely cognitively impaired,so this took some thought.I was looking into volunteer work and Ariel was the one that chimed up and said what about working at the zoo?


I looked into it and totally believe God opened this door for us.The day I called and talked with Stacey she said "come on in for an interview." After a five hour training class we have been working there ever since and it has been such a blessing.Ariel comes alive around animals.

Some of our best times have been working at the zoo.We've done Santa dives with the sharks,making Budgie sticks,Zoo Boo,working at The Harbor Seals and Walrus tanks,Sting Ray Cove toucch tank,guiding vet tours.You name it we've pretty much done it and loved every minute of it.Here are some videos with Ariel telling you about the animals.




When Ariel got so very sick in Feb and spent approximately eight weeks inpatient.She couldn't work at her beloved zoo and so I was trying to think of something to come up with for her,for those times she can't work at the zoo and so that's why we created
 
                               Ariel's Ark

           https://facebook.com/ArielsArk 
 she can tell you all about her beloved animals.She may have a lot of disabilities,but she is all heart,especially when it comes to her animals,she would love for you to stop by and say hi,like or share her page and maybe put on a picture of your favorite animal or pet.