Thanks and giving

    It is the time of year to give thanks.  It is the DAY to give thanks.  We ALL, every one of us, have so much to be thankful for.  I especially do.  This year it seems, ironically, I have more to be thankful for than any other year.  There's my family.  Composed of my three incredible, beautiful children that I am blessed to have.  There's my husband, who is to blame for them :).  My parents, whom gave up their lives as they knew it and moved in with us and help endlessly to raise our children.  There's my friends.  I have so many more this year than any other.  So many that rally around my family and I.  There's my health.  Yes, my health.  It could be so much worse.  I am able to enjoy life and my family and I'm so thankful for that.
  Ive carried with me a list of grudges and regrets throughout my life and even those have become blessings and things to be thankful for.  After all, everything happens for a reason.  So, opportunities missed and people gone from my life (besides death, just no longer involved in my life) all lead me to where I am now.  So each and every regret I now see as a blessing.
    During this Holiday season I've been trying to open my eyes towards others.  Ive been trying to do more good deeds and be more giving to others.  Theres been so much tragedy and loss in the world and so much  hype about "good deeds" and "paying it forward". We hear so many stories of people doing good for others.  Yet...sadly...I haven't seen much of that in my every day life.  I see anger and spite and aggravation.  It makes doing good very discouraging.   Ive been trying to do a good deed every day.  I wish we all could.  In my "new life" I try to show appreciation to every person that does something good.  After all, whats a few dollars spent on a gift card or a few minutes to write a thank you note.
  Speaking of positivity and optimism.  I have officially reached my goal for an assistance dog.  +ecad(www.ecad1.org)  informed me I have raised and exceeded my $8500 and I am at the top of their placement list. They are currently looking for a suitable dog and will let me know as soon as they find one.  My intention is to make my fundraiser annual event to raise funds for an assistance dog for someone else that might not be as capable at fundraising.  Also, any donations made to ecad in my name still will go directly to another clients dog.  So, if you still want to donate, you will be helping someone else get their dog AND helping me get mine sooner.  Thanks to my local connections, The event got a lot of press exposure:  http://www.registercitizen.com/general-news/20131012/goshen-pto-president-tina-torizzo-finds-solace-in-writing-after-ms-diagnosis, http://www.registercitizen.com/general-news/20131012/goshen-pto-president-tina-torizzo-finds-solace-in-writing-after-ms-diagnosis. 
   I cannot wait to get the call that a Team Training has been scheduled.  I have been starting to talk it up to the kids and figuring out what the first thing we will do is.  I'm thinking maybe go on a hike or maybe take a little run.....nothing big, maybe just around the backyard or to the bus stop.  We are now saving for our "accessories".  We will need a balancing harness, which can run upwards to $400.  We need collars and leads and crates and beds and an underground fence controller.  I want to take the kids on a big shopping trip before I go off for two weeks for Team Training to get them excited about our new addition.  In a way, its tough to get excited about leaving the kids for two whole weeks, but it is required to train with the new dog.  They plan training every day from 8am to 5pm for two weeks.  4 or 5 days in, they (the ecad trainers) assign the dogs to the clients.  Then the real training begins.  We even go on field trips to get accustomed to the dogs in public.  I took the kids to meet the new litter of ecad puppies.  They are 3 months old and already in work mode.  They do not chew or bite or climb all over you like regular puppies.  They already have manners.  They sit, walk on leashes, use the treadmill, etc... amazing.   ECAD has just recently purchased some Guinea Pigs and a rabbit because they were having a difficult time getting the dogs attention in pet stores.   So, they are doing some in house training with their pups.  Its just amazing what they think of.  My church has decided, though I have reached my funding goal, to continue with their fundraiser.  The children in Sunday school are making dog treats to sell at the Living Gift Market at church.  All proceeds go to ecad.  Its such a great cause.

    My symptoms are holding steady.  Ive had my 6th or so Tysabri infusion.  Besides the headaches and leg cramps everything else is the same.  Still balance issues and pins and needles and vision stuff, but that's old news.  This drug, the one I once almost refused, I am even thankful for.  Its keeping my attacks at bay and preventing any new lesions.  I am due for another MRI next month and hopefully will confirm that.  I Have a friend with progressive MS that was hoping to begin Tysabri and found out she is positive for the JC virus.  Very disappointing.  Tysabri is the single most effective medication on the market for preventing future attacks of MS.
   I have been very busy with the local farmer's market.  We have a Holiday Market at which I sell soap and also help with PR and marketing.  I have also been receiving many Christmas orders for soap.  Its available on my web site, www.mybeautifullifewithms.com and through just contacting me.  I have started making quite the line of products:

I am also working on custom monogrammed MS jewelry to sell on my web site.  Yes, very busy.  Not too busy to take some time off for family and friends.  In fact, we up and left home for Thanksgiving and travelled to Newport.  Yes, where I first got diagnosed with MS.  I must say, last night going to sleep remembering the last time I slept here was kind of unnerving, but I woke up and everything is fine and I am enjoying the break... and even have time to blog!  I plan to actually make up for things I didnt do last time, like take the kids to Cupcake Charlie's and watch the Holiday Lights Boat Parade tonight from Bannister's Warf.  You can find my reviews on www.Tripadvisor.com.

Time to get out there and enjoy!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!