Penning my Dreams

Originally written on May 10, 2010. I wrote it and never posted. Some of my thoughts now are in bold.

I've finished reading another book. While it wasn't specifically about dreams, it got me thinking. Sometimes in the midst of hardships, we lose sight of our dreams. I'm guilty of this too. Life becomes more about survival and less about living, but that's not God's best. God wants us to dream big.

I thought I'd share a few of my dreams. I want to write a book someday. I'm working on this now! Not a self-help book or a book about fashion. A book about my life experiences to show people how I’ve managed to overcome the obstacles in my life, have a better attitude about life, being grateful for what I have instead of complaining about what I don’t, and focusing on others instead of myself. But, until the time is right, I'll just keep writing my stories and sharing my memories.

I want a job doing what I love. I would love to write articles for a magazine or feature stories for a newspaper. Thankfully, my degree will give me lots of variety when it comes to job hunting. I realized after one of my media classes that I do NOT want to work for a newspaper. I'm going to be my own boss and maybe help out an organization part-time.

I want to inspire others. I don't know if that means teaching in a hospital using my experiences to help others. I would love to educate parents on how to raise a healthy and happy child in spite of their disability. I want to give them pointers on AFOs and the pitfalls to avoid. I want to let them see what a difference a loving but firmness as a parent can do for a child. I want to let them see how physical therapy can help. So many parents are lost and helpless as they navigate through parenting with a child-with or without disabilities. But you know what? At the end of the day, I'm not living my life for myself, I'm living it for God. As we all know, that is an ongoing process.

I dream of being able to share the gift of reading and writing with people in third-world countries. As I write, I think of all the mothers who would give anything to see their child get an education. Reading gives me such joy because I can be instantly transported as the page turns. Reading also opened up a wealth of knowledge for me. I didn't have to rely only on an adult's explanation of something; I could seek out the answer myself.

It's important to not let the dreams you have die. Dreams give us hope. Dreams ignite a passion within like nothing else. If you don't fulfill your dream, who will?

What are some of your dreams?

The Sunshine Award

The Rules

Acknowledge the nominating blogger (Thanks again, Zachary!)

Share 11 random facts about you.

Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.

List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love!

Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they’ve been nominated. You cannot nominate the blogger that nominated you.

11 Random Facts


1. I used to wonder what it'd be like to have a sister growing up. As I grew older, I wouldn't  trade my brother for the world!

2. I have painted and or stenciled borders on my bedroom walls many times. As of right now, three walls in my room are a sunny yellow with a deep purple accent wall.
3. I'm behind on reading the books I have saved on my Kindle.
4. Coming up with a magazine name that speaks to me and others haven't taken is harder than it seems. (The title I gave the magazine was just for school project purposes)
5. I cannot draw to save my life! The one thing in art class I was most proud of was a pencil drawing of a church. I got a B on it because I colored it in with colored pencils when it was supposed to be no color. Oops!
6. I'm a huge fan of my mom's photos and one of my goals is to have some of her nature prints ordered in large canvases to hang in my office and/or home one day.
7. I have saved all of my writings from elementary through college in hopes of turning them into a book (or books).
8. I will start on the book about my life this year. I've already done some background work, but sickness and a hesitancy have held me back. 
9. I hate coffee.
10. I love fall! The leaves changing are beautiful!
11. I've never been the girl who has her future wedding all planned out. I don't even have a wedding board on Pinterest. Ha! If something is trendy and everyone is doing it, I'll be doing the opposite!

11 Questions from Zachary:

1. What’s the most memorable birthday card you ever received? 

I would have to say any card from my mom because she takes her time to pick out just the right one.

2. How often do you vote (every election, only Presidential elections, not at all)? No need to share your party affiliation!

I vote in almost every election. There have been two local elections that I didn't vote in because I didn't like any of the candidates and/or didn't know them.

3. Fill in the blank: Butter is to bread as writing is to me. 

4. What was the best concert you ever been to? 

Considering it is the only concert I've ever been to, I would say Backstreet Boys. 

5. Forget whether the glass is half full or half empty. What is in the glass? 

Juice or Lemonade

6. How does country music make you feel? 

I hate country music. The majority of their songs make me feel sad and depressed. I mean, seriously! Most of their songs provide the backdrop to a broken heart, being cheated on, or some other sob story they put to music. 

7. What is your go-to spot for a fun night out? 

I don't really have a go-to spot. Anywhere with my mom is sure to be fun!

8. What characteristic makes your very best friends stand out from your other friends?

Their loyalty and ability to see all of my weaknesses and not-so finest moments and choosing to love me anyway.

9. Name the last great book you read. 

How to Live and Not Die by Norvel Hayes. This book is worth every penny if you are struggling with any kind of sickness or disease. Everything he writes is grounded in Scripture, and teaches you how to use the Bible to get the healing that belongs to you! I can't recommend it highly enough! I am reading it for the second time right now.

10. Finish this sentence: When I hear someone reference Wikipedia I cringe. 

11. What ordinary food item would you like Malley’s Chocolates to cover in chocolate?

Sunshine Nominees:
Bake or Break - her recipes are drool worthy!
A Duck in Her Pond - She makes me laugh!
In This Wonderful Life - Her twins are the cutest!
Angie Seaman Photography - Her photography rocks!
Nalani Jones - Talented writer and friend
Life of the Differently Abled - Sharing her story of CP
Now or Never - A friend who blogs to be positive, but also share parts of herself
Blessed by Brenna- A mother of a beautiful child name Brenna! I just discovered this blog the other day and couldn't quit reading!
Dance, Dance, Dance - My mom's blog. Enough said.
Redhead Riter - Blogger and writer extraordinaire! A must read for laughs and recipes!
Saucy's Sprinkles- Another blogging friend who isn't afraid to tell it like it is!


My questions for you:

What is your least favorite thing to do?
If someone did a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
What is the last movie you saw?
Who is the person that has had the most influence in your life?
You are trapped in an elevator with a person who doesn't speak English. What do you do?
Name your biggest pet peeve?
You are going on a surprise trip. Where would that be?
If your house was on fire, what (not who) would you save first?
Tell me the title of the book closest to you.
What phrase would your friend or spouse say you say the most?
If you had to design a candy to represent you, what would it look like? 

No High Heels, Please!

Several weeks ago, my podiatrist and surgeon agreed that I needed to get a brace (commonly referred to in the medical world as an AFO) to protect my right foot from fractures while I am waiting to have my next surgery. Yes, there will be surgery on my right foot in a few months. I'm not sure when. So, right before Christmas, we went to pick up the brace. It is pictured below. 

My left leg is tad shorter than the right, so I have always worn a heel lift in my left shoe. Due to some misunderstanding, a lift was made and attached to the brace for my right foot. I can think of no other way to describe it other than wearing a high heel. I am about 5'9  in height, and I felt REALLY jacked up, literally! I stood for just a few seconds in the office, and knew there was absolutely no way I could wear this brace for walking at home.

I only wore it for two hours, which was the length of the car ride home to prove my point to the orthotics people that I have very sensitive feet and am prone to bruising and lots of redness. These pictures attest to that. The unfortunate part is the brace also REALLY affected my hips. The right side ached for days afterward. So, I go back to the orthotics place on Friday to make an adjustment so the lift will be completely removed from the brace. And, just maybe, I can progress with walking a little more before my next surgery. The journey of adjusting to AFO's begins again...