Living In spite of Everything

Well, I've not been absent from life. I've just been dealing with it. L.I.F.E. Living In spite oF Everything. Yep, I just made that up!  Each day as I get up, I remind myself that I will not quit. I will not give up. God's grace has gotten me too far to turn back now.

But, every day isn't easy. This past week was hard, exhilarating, exhausting, and challenging all in one. I'm done with the necessary interviews for my disability magazine. I'm going to do at least one more story, though for good measure. This has been one of the most rewarding things I've done so far, and I can't wait to share it with you!

I had to deal with sinuses and foot issues and even had to cut one of my classes short and come home, which I hated to have to do, but it was necessary. 

What I haven't shared publicly is that I am going to have to have a surgery in June, right after my college graduation because my left big toe is going up under my foot making me really unstable when standing. An internationally known surgeon is going to perform a spinal fusion on my toe to set the bones where they should be. I've had to resort to wearing tennis shoes that are 1 1/2 sizes bigger than normal to accommodate the swelling in my foot. I'm dealing with things each day, knowing that I couldn't possibly get out of bed with God's strength. I'm SO thankful for Him!

Today has been a good day! I've managed to get my school work done and slept pretty well last night. Considering some of the nights I've had recently, that is HUGE!

If you are struggling, whatever you do, don't quit. Just dig your heels in a little deeper and keep going. Things will get better. I'm going to get better! I know this for a fact. As soon as possible, I'm going to start an aggressive stretching program with a personal trainer. I'm not where I was a few years ago, and I'm certainly not where I'm going to be!

P.S. You have 9 days to enter my giveaway! 

Custom Graphic Design Giveaway!

PrintingRay is a USA based online company that provides cheap custom stickers printing and folder printing of best quality. They were gracious enough to offer one person the chance to win a custom design of their choice!

You can choose from the following things:

•  Free Facebook Cover and Display Picture
•  Twitter Background
•  Free Picture and logo for your blog... or for anything else you can think of!

Just leave me a comment telling me something interesting about you along with your email address so I can contact the winner! This is mandatory.

This giveaway will run until March 5, 2013! After you are contacted, PrintingRay will have your design ready within 3 to 4 days and send it via email.

All other entries are optional like following PrintingRay on Facebook, tweeting about the giveway, following me on Facebook or my blog. Have fun and share this with your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tigger: Memoirs of a Cosmopolitan Cat

I have now completed my internship with Tannenbaum Publishing Company, which was nothing short of AMAZING!

I am excited to announce that a manuscript I have been working with is now a published ebook on Amazon! 

Tigger - Memoirs of a Cosmopolitan Cat is the fictional autobiography of a cat and his human family. Based on a true story, it takes the reader from Perth in Western Australia, Tigger’s birthplace where he joins his family, to Maryland in the United States of America. We are all familiar with human responses to change; but what about the animal's perspective? What are the challenges for a cat in a new and unfamiliar environment? What matters to him, and how does he adjust? Tigger lets the reader follow him as he explores nameless flora and fauna, mysterious smells and undreamt-of hunting opportunities. He meets neighbourhood pets, escapes from sticky situations and copes with the surprises of a first snowfall. In the background of the story, the humans have their own struggle to settle in new surroundings. The occasional glimpse through Tigger's amber eyes lets the reader guess at what goes on in their world, but it really isn't that important. Tigger's experience is what really counts. 

Click here to view or purchase!

Book Review: Off Balanced by Zachary Fenell

Several months ago - and I mean several - Zachary asked me if I'd like to review his book. I enthusiastically said yes, and then life got in the way. Zachary, thank you for your patience!

Off-Balanced is a biography of Zachary Fennell's  life as a teenager with CP. That's cerebral palsy for those who don't know. It tells of his struggles with girls, friends,driving, and life with a well-meaning but overprotective mother and a hard-working father he rarely sees.

Staying home on Friday nights was the norm because he didn't have the greatest self-esteem like some who can joke about their disability. Zach lives life in somewhat of a shell...until meeting Chase and Randy. Even then, he let his disability overpower him and shrank back from conversations. This caused people not to ask him much of anything. If asked how he was doing by a classmate, "Okay" was his standard, unenthusiastic reply.

As time passes, he begins to lighten up and form friendships with Sami and Rob. I started really getting into the book when Zach entered Notre Dame college. Zach found his niche when joining the Notre Dame News! It was like the words he struggled to say found their way on the printed page and - wonder of wonders - people LIKED it! 

This was the next to the last chapter, and I really felt like the book should have been longer or at least followed by a sequel because Zach's story was really getting good. The first half of the book was hard for me to get into because I'm not person who does self-pity. I'm more of a glass half-full type of girl. I also couldn't relate to the social awkwardness that Zach felt (nor the fact that he was never bullied or teased). Yes, I was made fun of, but I've always been a talker! I enjoyed Zach's story because it allowed me to see things from a male perspective. Males and females are so different!

I could relate to learning InDesign, though and really respected his dedication to the newspaper. I cringed at some of the VERY late night deadlines! The book ended with a very powerful scene that was a turning point in Zach's life. 

If a sequel is ever done, I would love to know about Zach's life after college. How does he cope as an adult? Does he keep his new found confidence? Do Rob and Sami keep in touch? What is he doing now? 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

What a Love!

It's 10:07 p.m, and I just need to write. It's one of those things that always calms me. I've had some thoughts about my nephew lately that I just want to preserve for memory's sake. Maybe twenty years from now, he'll read this blog and/or my diary to learn a little more about me.

He has learned so many words lately! Airplane, car, drink, and more are just a few. He still hasn't mastered Auntie M, but brings me things when asked.

About a month ago, after he was all clean from his bath, and I got a whiff of whatever soap my mom used, I instantly wanted to bottle up that moment - and scent - to keep forever. I guess my blog is one way of doing that. Even though he's not my child, I felt so much love right then that it seemed that my heart would most definitely burst right then and there! I find myself finishing my work quickly to savor his little laugh and his new found infatuation with tractors ever since my mom found YouTube videos. He will literally sit mesmerized at the computer. Well, at first he did, anyway. Now that he knows me or mom can pick a new video by moving the mouse, he will pick up my hand and put it on the mouse. It's his way of saying, "I want to watch something different!" He's too smart and picks up on things very quickly!

He loves one ebook on my Kindle Fire that I downloaded for him. Things that Go from iStory books. It was free and makes all kinds of noises with pictures off fire trucks, airplanes, race cars, etc.

He's growing up too fast, but I see traces of that baby he once was in his beautiful eyelashes, dancing eyes, and expressive gestures. Christmas is going to be FUN this year!

I'll do a life update soon, my mind has been on my nephew lately. :D

Sweet Freedom

I'm happy to report that I am free for a MONTH! Free from papers, projects, presentations, and tests! What ever will I do with myself?! Blog, of course!

In case you didn't know I have been nominatedf or an award from WEGO Health. I've done several posts about them before. I now have a nifty little badge on my left sidebar that enables you to vote for me in just a few seconds! Just enter your email and hit endorse me!

In other news, I'm still having some foot issues, so I'm trying compression stockings.

I celebrated my 23rd birthday by studying for finals. Yep. :) I'm grateful for another year!!

My little nephew is growing like a weed! He's only 18 months, and already in a size 6 shoe (it is a tad big)! He is learning so much and just laughs at me when I use my headset with the Dragon voice recognition software that has been a lifesaver for me when I am not feeling well.

I've missed everyone!

Memories Rewind: Halloween Throwback

While looking for a specific photo one day, I found this one and couldn't resist sharing. It was at my old church's fall festival, and I was not in the mood to have my picture taken. Mama made me anyway, and now I look back on this photo with fond memories! Yes, I had an attitude!  As you can see, my brother was not fazed by my antics. :) I was some kind of princess, but that's all I remember.  My mom just said I was Cleopatra!

P.S. You can nominate me for one of WEGO Health's Health Activist Awards by going here. Just make sure you put the name of my blog, which is Making my Mark. My name is Madison Sanders. The blog URL is http://dropletsonajournal.blogspot.com They just ask you to tell them why I should be nominated. Winners will be featured on the WEGO Health network, which is a huge opportunity to raise awareness about cerebral palsy, strength, and overcoming adversity. Thanks in advance!