4-27-2011: A Year Later

One year ago today, the city of Cleveland & Bradley County was devastatingly hit by tornadoes, along with many other parts of the South East.

For me today has been a day of reflection and thankfulness in realizing how fortunate I was that day.
I remember waking up to the sound of the wind whistling around the house and the power going out. My sister and I could see traffic stopped and emergency vehicles all along the road. Many people had text and called multiple times asking if we were okay. We had no idea what had just taken place. A tornado had just bounced over my home and went straight across the road destroying everything in its path.

At first, the thought that I had slept through a tornado was a bit wowing I guess you could say. Now however, looking back I wish I had been awake and alert to what was going on around me. It is evident to me that God's Grace and protection were with us that day. That tornado could have destroyed my home and everything I have. I could have been one of those who were not so fortunate.

Cleanup and recovery efforts are still taking place today. Lives are still being rebuilt and new friendships made everyday as a result of our community coming together as one and lending a hand. That is why I am proud to be from Tennessee and be a small town girl.  We really do come together as one and volunteer.

Miss Kaylee :)

This is little Miss Kaylee, my sunshine! She will be 5 years old this October. Seems like just yesterday I was watching her be born!

She is a very smart and happy girl. Last Tuesday, after going to pick up my new chair in Chattanooga (next blog post!) I went to Mom's for a while. Kaylee gets books from the Imagination Library. This is one of her favorites. She read this story to me all by herself! :) I'd never heard it til then. How sweet to hear it for the first time from a 4 year old.

I just wanted to share that little tid bit. She sure does know how to brighten your day and make you laugh. We are all the time laughing at something she is doing or saying. I am so glad that she has taken up with Michael and I more recently as well. She loves being around Uncle Mikey so they can wrestle and be goofy. :)

Encouraging Read

Are you searching for a way to fill a Spiritual void? Do you want to grow Spiritually? Do you enjoy reading inspirational titles? Then, this book is for you! My Time with God is a book of 15 minute devotions for the entire year. It takes you through the complete New Testament, and has references from the Old Testament; as well as insight from many well known people.

My Mom bought this book for me about 2 months ago. It is a book my Granny owned also. I had thought about asking to borrow the book several times; as I thought it was a book you could just sit down and read til you got tired. I'm so glad to have my own personal copy. It is very easy to read and understand. Usually, I read it along with Guideposts when I get up early in the morning, and then write in my prayer journal. Sometimes, I will switch and read at night. Depends on my mood. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. I wish I could just sit down and read it through sometimes, ha! :) 

I have had some awesome experiences while reading this book. Certain verses and insight that people give in the book have really stuck out to me. So much so that I've prayed over that specific verse!

So, if you are looking for a good read to help you grow Spiritually, but maybe you don't have a lot of time for reading then this book is definitely for you! 

What I've Been Doing

Just realized it has been a couple weeks since I have posted!

I'll try not to make this post too lengthy and get you up to speed at the same time.

We celebrated Michael's Dad's birthday at the beginning of the month with family and friends. It was a big surprise for him and a good time was had by all. :)

Last week I got to keep the girls (Haylee & Kylee) for three days. It had been a very long time since they had spent the night with us. We all had a really good time. We watched lots of cartoons, a movie, and colored together. On Valentine's Day we took them out to eat at Denny's. We all enjoyed that and even had dessert! They are a true joy in my life.

Thursday I had to go to the dentist *shudder*. I get extreme anxiety when I have to go to the dentist. I just went in for an exam. To my surprise it really wasn't that bad. I will have the work I need done soon and then I will me on my way to my beautiful smile again. After the work is done I plan to do something to straighten my teeth back out. I wish I would have wore my retainer correctly!

Friday, I visited Benchmark to have my wheelchair evaluation done. They have moved their office. It is a lot more open than the other one, and very bright. The physical therapist was very nice. Now all I have to do is wait for all the paperwork to go through and insurance to give the okay then it should be about 8 to 10 weeks before I have the new chair.
Michael also took me shopping for Valentine's Day. He got me a new outfit, pj's, earrings, and a phone cover for V-Day and I got him two new shirts, a necklace, and a pair of pants.

Now on to this week...

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday. The last day of Mardi Gras. So, we went to N'awlins as we do every year for their annual crawfish broil. It was good as always and I can say that I am glad I took the chance and tried crawfish a few years ago. Now I love them! The music was awesome! But, who knew.. I'm a sucker for live music! :)

There ya go, that's what's been going on in my little world! Enjoy!

Personal Correspondence

How do you keep in touch with others? Through social media, e-mail, phone calls, texts, visits?

Most of us today keep in touch through social media such as Facebook, and text messaging on our mobile phones. Its much faster than a hand written letter and in our fast paced way of life we don't make the time to do so. E-mail is the same way it seems. It's much easier for us to keep up with each other through a website and text than to take the time to write an email. I have actually been able to keep in touch with family members I wouldn't even really know if it were not for Facebook. That has really been a blessing!

I remember when we first got a computer. I was 13. AOL was the big thing then. I remember thinking how neat it was to instant message someone or send them an e-mail. I made a 'pen pal' on there. Of course, we have since lost touch. But, it was cool to be able to correspond with others without having to write a letter and wait for them to receive it in the mail; or if you wanted to talk for hours you didn't have to worry about your ear going numb or your arm tiring from holding the phone so long.

In recent years, e-mail seems to have nearly faded out as a source of keeping in touch with others on a personal level. Especially with the advent of text messaging on cell phones and numerous social networking sites.

I personally, wish that wasn't the case. I rarely check my email anymore because there is nothing to look forward to other than a bunch of forwards. I get actual emails on the occasion from a few people. I check email to make sure a payment went through or something of that sort, but even then I can do that from my phone. Don't get me wrong, I love having email at my finger tips when I am on the go and being able to respond quickly via a text, but it still is not as personal as an e-mail or even more so, a hand written letter.

When I moved to Murfreesboro, TN for school I of course kept in touch with family through phone calls, but some of us also e-mailed & Instant Messaged. Then, I wrote letters back and forth to my Great Aunt, Great Uncle, and one of my cousins. Writing those letters was a lot of fun and really meant a lot to me. I can remember always looking forward to checking my mailbox in the KUC to see if I had letters or packages. :) I still have a letter from each of them today that I kept, and I will keep them for many years to come.

Even though we live in such a fast paced world, we always need to make time to keep in touch with those that mean a lot to us. Family, friends, it doesn't matter who they are, and even though I miss email being popular it doesn't matter how you keep in touch as long as you do!

Four Wheels vs. Two Legs

vs.

What is the Difference?

• You walk. I roll.
• You run. I do the same with my hands using 2 wheels.
• You jump. I pop wheelies to get over bumps and uneven surfaces.
• You can stand up or lay down if you get tired of sitting. I am either sitting down or laying down.
• Anywhere is accessible. If there are no ramps and proper accommodations certain public places are not accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Restrooms being what I notice most.
• You can move through a crowd with ease. I have to say excuse me and hope people are polite enough to move.

What's My Point?

While I view myself as no different than the next person; these are a few of the big differences that I've noticed. They are really not a big deal to me, but when you take time to think about them and consider what I've said, you may see where I am coming from. 

Walking/Rolling: To me these are one in the same. My wheels are just like the two legs God gave you to walk on.

Running: I do the very same thing when I am 'going fast' in my wheelchair. Let me tell you, its a workout and tiring! :)

Jumping/Wheelies: While you jump for fun or exercise.. I pop those cool wheelies to get over humps and bumps. But ideally in my mind I'm jumping too! :)

Changing of Position: When you get tired of being one way or another you have the freedom to move around and get comfortable. I/we can do this too but it isn't as easily done. As stated it mainly consists of sitting up or laying down which at times can be a bit boring!

All access/Restricted or No Access: Most of the time you can go anywhere without restrictions of any kind. The same can be said for those of us in wheelchairs most of the time as well with the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. But, there are still some kinks and I have come to find that as I have grown into adulthood. Not all restrooms are accessible to those of us in wheelchairs even though they say they are. If a wheelchair cannot fit in the stall it is NOT accessible! Not all buildings are fully accessible. And furthermore, more places should have automatic entrances so those of us who want to shop there can come and go on our own. (i.e. convenience stores and restaurants).

Crowds: While you can maneuver through a crowd being heard saying 'Excuse me'.. some of us are hoping we are heard saying that just so we can get through. Or we're trampled on because people just don't want to move. I'm not saying this happens all the time. But it does and has happened to me. When ya see a wheelchair  coming through; slide over just a bit if your able. We would appreciate it. :)

Often times, people think it is "cool" to use a wheelchair, while it is a neat thing its not always cool to those of us who use them on a daily basis. I am saying that I don't enjoy my life? No. I'm saying like some other things in life; it's not all its cracked up to be. Sitting in a wheelchair for the majority of the day becomes uncomfortable and tiring. And, if there are seat belts and numerous other restraints on the chair one can begin to feel confined. Sure its neat to be able to roll where you want to go, but just as walking is tiring; pushing a wheelchair is just as tiring for us if not more so.

People have asked me numerous times throughout my life if I would like to be able to walk. For a time; I wanted to. Now, I don't. Why? I wouldn't be who I am. It's that simple.

People also assume that when someone is in a wheelchair that they are paralyzed and cannot move or feel their legs. I understand people make assumptions because they don't know or think they do. I'm guilty of us. But the answer is No, not everyone who is in a wheelchair is paralyzed. Many of us were born with a condition such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, etc. Or something happened later on in life like MS.

I am not sure if this made any sense whatsoever.. and if it didn't oh well. I'm no different than you. Your no different than me. We are all human! :)

2012

It's a new year. 2012. What does that mean for me? It means a new beginning. A clean slate. I am not one for making resolutions because I do not keep them; but there are a few things I would like to do this year if I am able.

• Attend a concert, it's been several years.
• Go back to South Carolina. :)
• Travel to Texas or Louisiana to see some of Michael's family.
• Keep in better touch with family members not close by; both mine and Michael's.

Those are just the things I can think of right off the top of my head. I am sure more will come along as the year progresses.

My 2012 has started off great. I was able to be with my bestie this year to bring in the new year, as well as another good friend of mine and Michael's. I have a feeling that it is going to be a great year for all of us.

As for the whole 12/21/12 thing: I will admit that it use to freak me out. It took me a long time to get over that. I still don't like to talk about it too much; but I am comfortable.  Just like in '00 when the computers were suppose to blow up; that didn't happen. People have tried to predict the end of the world since before I was born! They haven't hit it yet so I don't think 12/21/12 will be the end of time unless God wills it so. Only He knows when it will end.

I am blessed that I can rest in this:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, only the Father." Mark 13:32 (NIV).

What are your plans for the new year?

So what are your plans for 2012?