Don't drink and drive

Jewels told me to be sure to tell everyone to NEVER drink and drive because if you do, you might hurt an innocent person.

Stress

Did you know that I never get stressed out about anything?  I think if you have unwavering faith in God, are honestly trying to keep all of His commandments and truly believe that He always wants to protect and bless you (because He loves all His children and wants them to be happy) you will relax and let Him guide your life.  On the other hand, if you are choosing to disobey God’s commandments, OR to not keep your physical body pure and clean so that the Holy Spirit will want to dwell in it OR if instead of trying to help everyone in need that you can, you do things that harm other people…well…that’s another story.  You just might be burdened with all sorts of stress.   Am I right?  Please leave a comment…do you agree or disagree?

Pain

If any of you think I have no problem dealing with pain, or am never IN pain, you are dead wrong about THAT! Hurting anywhere on my body (even for a short period of time) seems to be magnified many times beyond normal and feels like horrible agony to me.  Unless my mind is totally preoccupied with another activity, I tend to complain constantly about my every little ache and pain.   Who else out there has to deal with a LOT of pain every day? Please share....

Sweets

I do not like to eat any sweets at all?  No candy, cakes, cookies, donuts, ice cream or pies.  The only exception: pumpkin pie (unless it has too much sugar in it). Whenever another birthday rolls around, I never want the traditional birthday cake with ice cream. I always want a pumpkin pie with the number candles in the middle.  My mom loves Hershey’s milk chocolate bars (with almonds), but not me.  I don’t like chocolate at all (unless it’s hot chocolate).  Go figure.  Does anyone else out there not like chocolate bars or any sweets?

My second book

I just received my complimentary copy of my SECOND book today!  I love being an author.  I am working on my next two books now.  There will be only 4 in my Princess Series and then I will move on to a different series...like maybe with animals (who overcome their physical disabilities)?  We'll see.  I'm afraid people won't buy very many of my books because they are so expensive.  My mom didn't have any say-so in that matter.  The price was set by Trafford Publishing. They cost MORE if you buy them online at any major .com bookstore (as opposed to pre-ordering them on my website).

My list of blessings

My mom has been keeping a list of all the things I am thankful to God for.  There are 120 items on it!  If you want me to email you a copy of my list, just ask me.  Sometimes we focus too much on, or complain about, what we don’t have, instead of being thankful for the blessings we already HAVE.  Is there anything on YOUR list that I might want to add to MINE…or vice versa?

My physical condition

I don’t care that I can’t walk…my brain still works and I am told that I still have a good sense of humor! 
I don’t care that my speech is bad…my Heavenly Father always understands me when I talk to Him!
I don’t care that I am technically “legally blind”…I can still see with my glasses on and have exceptionally good hearing  (eavesdropping has always been one of my favorite pastimes).
I don’t care that I am wheelchair bound and can barely move at all…I have become an author of children’s books!
What don't YOU care about because of other blessings you have?

My favorite music

The only music I like is Country Western music. My favorite radio station is 100.7 because they only play country music by country legends.  My absolutely favorite country singer (songwriter, actress, beauty queen, author and businesswoman) is DOLLY PARTON. I not only love her voice, I love her sense of humor, her southern drawl and everything else about her.  I have all her CD’s, movies and the  the book she wrote (plus the cassette of her reading her book). She is a fascinating woman! I have never been to Dollywood, but I'm impressed by the super job she did making it into an amazing recreational center. Who else loves Dolly?

My Donation

Since my mom finally got around to donating my long ponytail to Locks of Love (after 10 years that it was ready to be sent), I decided I would also like to donate all the braces that I no longer use (for my legs, arms and hands) to a children’s hospital in Jacksonville. Here’s the best part…you will not hear that I did this 10 years from now; I’m going to do it THIS MONTH! I still wear splints on my arms, hands and feet for about 4 hours a day (when I am in my wheelchair) but these are very different to the ones I will be donating.  Have any of YOU ever donated anything you have to those who have not?

My first book

WOW!!!! It's amazing to see my creation in print! I received the first copy of my book delivered by Fed Ex today.  I am thrilled!  It is 8 1/2  x 11".  The soft cover has a glossy finish. On the back cover, there is a picture of me in my wheelchair with a little background about me.  I think the book is awesome.  It will sell in the stores for $16.99 + shipping but it's a LOT cheaper if you prepay for it on my website.  I really hope you will all do that TODAY!

Talking to my friends

I was so happy to hear my mom tell me tonight that she is going to try to find a way for me to talk directly to all my friends on facebook....instead of her always doing the writing for me on her computer. I DO have the use of my right arm and hand so I'm pretty sure I can learn how to do it (with God's help, of course).  She said something about getting a laptop or some computer that will hook up to our big screen TV and the internet.   Then, with the assistance of a caregiver, I would be able to talk directly to all my friends.  I never wanted to develop any computer skills in the past, but  NOW I DO!!! My mom's computer skills are beyond horrible and pathetic, however, so this should be interesting. Are we all friends on facebook yet?

My favorite foods

Cold cereal : Kix
Hot cereal: Cream of Wheat
Meat: crispy bacon, corned beef, pork chops
Fish: Lobster, crispy fish sticks 
Soup: Potato cheese soup, matzo ball soup, homemade minestrone soup
Sandwich: Tuna with black olives, burrito of refried beans and cheese
Carbs: cornbread, noodles alfredo, rice, scalloped potatoes
Fruit: pears, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon
Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cooked carrots, artichokes, asparagus, eggplant  (breaded and fried slices with melted mozzarella on top), fried onion rings (homemade)
Snacks: Yogurt, Macadamia nuts, Jello
Beverages: Root beer, blueberry juice, hot chocolate
Fast Food: Taco Bell :7-Layer Burrito) Chinese: Chicken Lo Mein

My books

I am so proud of myself for finishing the dictation of my FOURTH children’s book to my mom today (The Princess and the Rabbit). This was the final Princess Book I planned on creating. My mom cleaned all my animal cages today: Bluebell (the parakeet), Roger (the rabbit) plus Goldie (my fish) and picked up after our four Chihuahuas (Chico, Daisy, Princess, Ava). Their toys were everywhere! My third book, The Princess and the Parakeet, is still being illustrated, but my first two books (The Princess and the Dolphin and The Princess and the Puppy) are available to be sold NOW (from my website).  Would anyone like to comment about anything you may have accomplished already in your life...or hope to accompleish?

Animal Lover

I am such an animal lover!  Dolphins and dogs are on the top of my list....followed by birds and rabbits.  Cats are my least favorite animal of all.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's because I have never lived with one, but I have always been surrounded by dogs. I became a vegetarian when I was younger because I always felt that animals are my friends and I don't eat my friends.  I am not a fanatic about it, though.  I will now eat a little turkey or chicken (especially over mashed potatoes with gravy), some corned beef or a hot dog.  Who else is an animal lover?  What is YOUR favorite animal?

The rest of my life...

This is the most exciting time in my life since I was hit by that drunk driver twelve years ago!  I now have this awesome website to communicate with all my friends and I have actually become an official author of children's books.  I mean, when your books get published and people buy them, that makes it official...right?  My mom is going to become actively involved in trying to find ways to promote them. I think she is going to be very busy helping me get my new career off the ground.  This should be fun!  I feel like the roller coaster for the rest of my life has just taken off.  Does anyone want to comment about something exciting going on in YOUR life right now?

I am blessed

I may be a quadriplegic, but let me tell you why I am such a happy person.  You see, I feel very blessed to have everything around me that I think is important in life: a safe home, delicious home-cooked meals every day, wonderful caregivers who take care of me 8 hours a day - 7 days a week, a mom who loves me and takes care of me from 5pm-9am every single day, faith in God and a mission for my life.  That mission is not exactly 100% clear yet, but I know the Lord wants me to make a difference in this world. Since I also know He wants me to be an inspiration to others, I'm hoping to do that by becoming a famous author of children's books.  I am very thankful that God gave me this storytelling talent. I want to do whatever I can for the rest of my life to help others...especially animals and kids who rely on adults to survive. What makes YOU happy?

My favorite color....

I LOVE the color BLUE. All my items of clothing are different shades of blue because I never want to wear any other color at all. My bedroom walls are painted light blue. Every picture on the walls of my bedroom are mostly blue because they are all pictures of dolphins! All my many dolphin statues are blue and white. I like white with blue. The blankets that cover me in my wheelchair all the time are always blue (my favorite ones are the ones with dolphins on them, of course). The enclosed therapy pool in my home has tiles around it with blue dolphins on them. Get the picture?  What is YOUR favorite color....and why?