The New Cruiser

We had an awesome opportunity arise on Saturday. Nick and I were given tickets to see the Texas Rangers 7th row back from home plate.

We had two extra and decided to see if my aunt Rae Jean and uncle Dave were up for going with and they couldn't decline with the weather being so clear and cool.

We could touch the dug out as well as see every minor detail going on out in the field. It is interesting how much more you enjoy a baseball game with the seat perspective you have. It was so cute to watch the kids trying to get the attention of players and hope for a foul ball.

There is a minor issue with the cramped leg room and prosthetics, but staying the whole 9 innings is worth it when you are so close to the drama of the umpire. Directly in front of me were two guys who thought they were way to cool to sit directly next to each other.

So, they created a "we are cool" gap and sat with one chair between them. Ah, so great for me. I stretched my legs out on top of the chair like a baseball junkie relaxed with my drink and watched every detail of the game. The "cool gap" made my night. Thanks guys.

New way to travel: bicycle cruiser. I finally got a new bicycle today and can't wait to break it in. I'll be riding myself silly I'm sure. I'm looking forward to be rolling around Dallas!

Love,
Jen

Poker Faced, Jordan Thomas

My purse collects so much stuff I could have a weekly yard sale at times. I was cleaning everything out when a stack of business cards dumped all over the floor. Yikes.

Tough gig without fingers. I sat and thought. Then all of a sudden a light bulb flickers. I used a card and put it between my palms and slid it underneath one on the floor and pushed it up against my foot until it flipped up.

I then could just grab the elevated portion that had popped up, repeat a couple dozen times and the problem was solved.

I felt like I was on candid camera and began to laugh at myself. By the way, why does it always seem awkward to laugh hysterically when you are the only person in the room?

Meet Jordan Thomas and his foundation or on CNN. Being in my situation, I'm following our healthcare reform from a much different perspective than most individuals and I am humbled to have the challenge. Jordan is taking the cost of prosthetic care to Washington and I think it is just another example of what a courageous spirit is capable of.

He has been active in Washington advocatinig for private insurance companies to cover prosthetics without caps or unfair restrictions. He lost his legs in an unfortunate boating accident in 2005 but has gone on to assist young people with gaining access to prosthetics. I am inspired for his efforts and hope others will get behind his passion.

I challenge you to become involved, passionate and motivated by something that is important to you. One gesture can make a difference.

Love,
Jen

The Best Kid In Town

OOPS - did I do something? I dropped my ears and looked up at Jen, thinking she wouldn't notice.

Hi, I'm, SKY, Jen's service dog. I can do all kinds of tricks, even surf (check out my cool pic). But, I also do tricks I don't mean to.

When I get excited my tail goes crazy. I wave it so fast that people can catch some wind. So, I was very close to our chess set with all pieces in place and my tail started going. Next thing I know, the chess game is on the floor. Not the entire game but there would have been many moves unable to be made.

As a service dog, I'm trained to strategize. So I'm thinking I have one of two options, leave it and act as if nothing happened OR wait for Jen or Nick to give me "the look". Before I could even sit down to contemplate any longer, I decided to be a really cool dog and do the right thing.

I started picking up the pieces and then got "the look". How cool do you think I felt? put Jen & Nick in a state of shock (or euphoria, one of the 2). The only thing I needed help with was where these unsual pieces should go. Jen helped me with that and we got the whole thing cleaned up.

I have to say I felt like I deserved, and still deserve, a steak. FYI for anyone else that has a dog, the pieces don't taste all that great. I spit them out pretty quickly which, I'm pretty sure, pleased Jen!!

I'm going to go check on that steak now!
Peace,
~SkY

Gaining Insight

I just realized that 201 times a thought, comment or event has made it's way onto this blog. Good, bad, happy, sad or funny...it's been noted. My last post was number 200 - That's a lot of thinking.

There are so many thoughts that go go through my head before I actually start typing that if I wrote everything I experience I could have a post 3x a day. I can have so many notes for my blog but somehow my days take on a life of their own. I'm not sure how that happens but I'm loving it!

Last week, as I was planning my next move, I received the best phone call. I have been accepted into a fantastic leadership program which starts next month. I am really looking forward to starting this and gaining new insight into myself and the others in the program. It is a year long program that provides opportunities to capitalize on unique leadership strengths and gain powerful resources. P.L.A.Y. and I can expand many things from this opportunity.

So, my thoughts changed yet again. I have had so much energy over these last few years that I realized the more I tried to get ahead and plan.....my plan would be altered. So, I establish my base and what I would like my goals to be then let life take it's course. It's amazing how you end up where you should be.

Need something different to do? Check out this Cool Endeavor

Cross Country Run, Barefoot for Charity?“…the only way to accomplish incredible things is to set really ambitious goals…I’m doing this to challenge myself and to raise money to help struggling young people, ” said Knudson. “This cause is dear to me, so to get people’s attention I’m running barefoot.“I love this guy…Tellman Knudson.

Chances are, most of you haven’t heard of him until now, but take notice, because on September 9, Tellman is ditching his shoes as he attempts to become the first person to run across America barefoot… his 3,200+ mile journey begins in Battery Park, New York on September 9…cutie pie will then head west, running the equivalent of one marathon a day. His route follows historic Route 66 for much of the way, with stops in Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Phoenix and finishing on the pier in Santa Monica, California.

Tellman’s goal? To raise 100 million dollars for homeless youth…he chose Battery Park as his starting point with the Statue of Liberty as the backdrop. “I wanted to include this incredible symbol of liberty, support and acceptance. It is what so many young people need, and something I hope I can give them through my efforts,” said Knudson.It’s easy to see why Richard Branson is supporting Tellman and his run for charity. Tellman is an entrepreneur who has had great success in internet marketing…he is CEO of OvercomeEverything, ListBuildingClub and several others…but, perhaps giving us a glimpse of this man perseverance is the fact that he overcame femoral antiversion, a debilitating leg condition, to compete on his high school cross country running team, setting several school records and competing for the New Hampshire state championship? I have no doubt Tellman is gonna make it cross country just fine.Please visit his website for more info. Run Tellman Run! The worlds watching…

*From Celebrity Athletes Charity Gigs & Gossip

Flashback!!

I went to the hospital today to visit a patient whom my surgeon has had to amputate and found it such a rewarding experience.

I met with a wonderful family as well as a few of my nurses and physical therapist. It was so cool to visit and catch up. I have to say that staying in touch with everyone that made such an enormous impact on my life, medically, has truly made a difference in my recovery. Going backwards, in a healthy way, and learning more of why I am here today just allows me to feel more and more calm about my experience.

I observed my surgeon walking through the halls and the people who would say "thank you" and it made me feel so blessed to be one of the lucky people who had a team that became invested in the person. So cool.

Anyway -- I was also reminded of the Slurpee's I got hooked on in the hospital :-) Ha..I had to give in and indulged in a Coke Slurpee for old times sake. Are 37 year olds' still supposed to enjoy this?