Be Thankful Always

For the past couple of years on Facebook during the month of November you see a new status posted each day about something someone is thankful for. I participated in this last year. This year, I did not. Why? Because, I am thankful all the time. Not just for a month out of the year. I don't need to update my status everyday to reflect this. If you know me, you know I am thankful and I certainly know it. While I am not saying I dislike reading such statuses (I do enjoy them); we should focus on our thankfulness everyday. We should appreciate people and things in our lives and let that be known everyday. After all, life is too short not too!

Meatloaf and Cornbread

Since purchasing my toaster oven I am constantly trying to think of things I can cook. I absolutely love it! While out shopping with my friend Amber last weekend for groceries; I mentioned that I would like to buy a loaf pan. I found one for only .94! [Thank you Walmart]. I bought that as well as a baking pan so I would be able to make brownies in the near future as well. (I have a bottle of Shake 'N Pour).

I was very excited about this shopping trip because I was buying what I needed to make my very first pan of homemade meatloaf and also a pan of cornbread all in my trusty toaster oven. How excited I was!

Amber spent the evening with me to ensure everything went A. OK as I embarked on this little venture. Everything turned out just fine and I am glad she was here to share this experience with me. :)

Miss Independent

You know the old cliche' saying, "You never know how strong you are, until strong is the only choice you have."? I have found that to be true over the last several months. I have learned just how strong I am and also how independent I never knew I was. It's funny how you realize such things. These last 5 1/2 months have been a new journey for me. A journey on which I did not expect to travel, but I am glad I am on. I have learned so much about myself as a person and what I am able to do despite the daily obstacles I face.

I have learned that I can clean my house all on my own with the exception of sweeping, in which case I just vacuum the linoleum. I learned how to adapt mopping the floor as previously post and even made that easier this last month thanks to a dear friend.

My biggest challenge in all this has been cooking. I knew that my microwave would fast become my best friend in my kitchen. I have learned that many things can be cooked this way and they do not taste bad at all. They are actually pretty good! I have been able to make some very well rounded meals this way. Sometimes though, there are certain things you'd just like to taste a little better. I've been wanting a toaster oven for quite some time and finally, this month I found one at Wal-Mart for $20. This has opened up a whole new world for me! I can make crispier corn dogs, bake cookies, grilled cheese, etc.

I am excited to see where else I go on this journey, especially in the area of cooking. Who knew that spending $20 would boost my confidence and independence?! :)

Thank you to all of my friends and family for the unconditional love and support!

Pictures:

Scrubbie from Now You're Covered

I received one of these wonderful Scrubbies this week compliments of my dear friend Sharmon who owns Now You're Covered. I used it for the first time this morning. All you do is wet the scrubbie apply your favorite facial scrub and gently scrub your face. My face has felt soft and smooth all day. It is now 1:16 in the morning here, and it still feels just as soft. I also noticed my face did not feel near as oily as it normally does. [I have oily skin].

If you would like to purchase one of these you may do so at the link listed within this post. She also makes an awesome array of hats - custom made to order. Check out her business. She'll crochet you something awesome!

To see more of her items find you can also link up with her on Facebook. Just type in Now You're Covered in the search box and you'll find it. :)

Happy shopping!!

Waterproof Your Phone

For most of us in today's world our cell phone is a life line. This is especially true for those who use wheelchairs and/or are disabled. It is imperative that we have our phones near us at all times just in case we were to fall or have another kind of emergency and need to get in touch with someone. My phone is with me 99% of the time. The only place I have not been able to have it right with me is while in the shower. Who wants to get their phone wet right? I usually lay it in my wheelchair, but if I were to fall chances are I would not be able to reach it and call someone.

While browsing Facebook a few days ago I noticed a post by Verizon Wireless. It said something to the effect of "Protect your phone from the sand and waves." It had a picture of a phone in a sandwich baggy. I thought about it for a few minutes, wondering if it really worked. I thought, if it will protect your phone from waves surely it could withstand  a few sprinkles from the shower. I decided to give it a whirl and to my surprise it works! If your phone is touch screen (most are today) you are still able to use the phone through the baggy. Therefore, you could make a call should you need to!

Now I have the safety and comfort of knowing that my phone can literally be with me at all times. Thank you Verizon for this great idea.

Living & Learning

Life is all about living and learning. That is just what I have been doing over the last few months and the main reason my blog has been rather quiet. I have learned how to be my own friend and enjoy myself. This is not easy to do when you are a very social person. I know what it feels like to do something for yourself because you want to. I love it!

A couple days ago, I was sitting here and knew the floor needed mopping. Mopping is one of those things I have always said would be hard for me to do. I've always said it would be pointless for me to even try. Well, I decided to give it a go. I DID IT!

Here's how:

Sat the mop bucket in front of the sink.
Put water in the bucket with the spray nozzle.
Added Mr. Clean
Mopped

I used a Mr. Clean sponge mop. It worked great. I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment. :)

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

It has been 4 months since I have written anything. I haven't had anything spark my interest in the last four months.

However, today I did. I was introduced to the television show Push Girls by my dear friend Amanda when it first aired last year. I kept up with it almost to the end of the first season and then lost track. Thank goodness for re-airings before the next season premiere and DVR! I have spent my holiday watching this show. It is even more inspiring to me today than it was when it first aired. I am at a different place in my life now and can relate to a few of the girls on a different level. I know I can face whatever comes my way.

If you are wondering what Push Girls is, it is a reality TV show that comes on Sundance at 10:00 pm on Monday nights. It is about a group of five women who are in wheelchairs due to being paralyzed. They face challenges in their lives head on with no fear and I admire that. Having been in a wheelchair all my life for a different reason, I think it would be awesome to spend time with these wonderful ladies. If it were ever to happen, I think we could all learn a lot from each other.

I know for my regular readers this is not a normal post, but I wanted to share it anyway in hopes to pump up the blog again!

Happy Birthday America!