Runaway Mascara, Another Speaking Event, Daisy the Labradoodle & Bon Voyage

This week has really gone by fast! Let me just say that I started the week off by meeting a friend for lunch with half of my make-up done.

Why you ask? Well, I was doing great until my mascara slips out of my hand, rolls under a piece of furniture, and rolls far, far away. Then everything else seemed to fall. I had about 10 minutes to be at lunch so I made an executive decision to go anyway and suck it up. :) I had one side done and the other, well, not.

It wasn't pretty but my stomach thanked me with lunch! I also had the opportunity to speak to a wonderful group at a law firm this week. It was very rewarding and it prompted great questions as well. It's funny how speaking can lift your own spirits while trying to help others.

I met a wonderful little girl named Daisy today. She is 1 year old and is also known as a "Labradoodle". Yeah! This is not a definite, but she may make the service dog program that I am involved in. If that is the case, I may have a new addition to our family. She is so adorable. I will keep you posted as this will take several months.

Happy birthday to Marie, my awesome mother-in-law. My parents and Marie are all turning 60 this year! Blow out some candles and have a glass of wine or a beer—it's someone's birthday somewhere! We will celebrate soon when we fly our way to Sydney, Australia this coming Monday!

I am so excited and can't wait to explore. We were planning to go last year before I got sick and never made it, so this is a well deserved trip. Hopefully I can find a job as a beach bum surfing! Just kidding—I'll be back, maybe. :)

I am really happy to finally be meeting the rest of Nick's family whom we have talked for so long. My parents and grandmother are headed to the big "D" for the weekend so that will be a fun bon voyage! We always have a great time and enjoy delicious food when they are in town—especially with dad and his free-loader fork, ha!

Have a great weekend everyone and I will be talking, blogging and thinking about you all while we are down under!

Love,
Jen

Prosthetics for Allison—The Sea Turtle

Not to worry if a turtle looses a flipper! There was a sea turtle—named Allison—who was found on South Padre Island missing 3 flippers.

What is the solution? Prosthetic flippers—how awesome! Rather than swimming in circles (talk about getting sea sick), Allison will now have a "direction". These are apparently made from the silicon that is used from human facial prosthetics.

According to the Dallas Morning News, she will be the "first sea turtle to get a prosthetic but not the first animal. At least two dolphins have been fitted."

I would love to be a marine biologist (in another life) and am fascinated with the world that lives below us. Now that scientists are working on something like this, it makes me feel like the possibilities are endless!

As slow as turtles are, perhaps they can speed Allison up with these flippers and make her life just as rich and fulfilling as with regular flippers! I wonder if the turtle and dolphins with prosthetics will be an inspiration for a new exhibit at Sea World? :)

Love,
Jen

Limbs for Life Masquerade Limb Ball

Ever been to a Mardi Gras & Masquerade ball? Well, Nick and I went Saturday night for a fundraiser and had such a fun time. It's interesting meeting people for the first time with masks on—they all seem suspect from the get go. :)

The night was to benefit Limbs for Life and everyone seemed to benefit in more ways than one! This organization benefits those who can't afford prosthetic care and people in impoverished nations.

This night really opened my eyes to those who are behind the scenes supporting people in a situation like me. When I was in rehabilitation, I talked to a board member—Craig Gavras. I had several people talk to me when I was in the hospital and hey seemed to be in a different place than I was, both mentally & spiritually.

Then, I was introduced to Craig. He lost a leg and had the best attitude and a very active lifestyle. This guy took a cycling trip, with others, from Oklahoma City to Austin—oh, did I mention this was after his accident? When he talked to me I remember feeling that "yes" feeling and remembering that I needed to surround myself with others like him.

So, talking with Craig gave me one perspective but the organization sounded as if they really did great things. Then, we go to this annual party and I realized about 400 people who thought the same thing that I did.

Everyone was in great costumes and were ready to bid on some really cool items. Needless to say we went home empty handed but had a great table to sit at.

One observation I had was actually about me. They showed a great short film on what a person goes through after loosing a limb. This is the one piece of this experience that is really mine and really personal. This was harder for me to watch than I thought it would be.

I don't see myself as challenged until I see a film such as this which brings out all the emotional stuff that I work through on a daily basis. It made it much more real but gave me the venue to be vulnerable around some people that could really relate (very few amputees were there). It was a nice evening among great company. Support is something that is truly priceless.

Another observation is the fact that there really are good people in this world—you just have to make the choices to surround yourself with these type of people. I have to admit, God has helped to surround me with some of the most supporting and genuine people and for that I can only feel blessed. But, for those times that life seems to be a bit off, seek the opportunities that can build that support, don't just accept.

Not to be cliché, but don't take things at face value. Don't just follow the crowd. Don't accept life as it is. If we did that we would never get anywhere. If no one said that we needed a solution for prosthetic care, we wouldn't have Limbs for Life or all the other organizations.

Treat yourself like your worth a million bucks and your heart will lead you in the right direction!

Love,

Jen

Without Making a Political Statement

So, what have I been up to lately? This past week has been really inspiring and allowed me to get a sense of the opportunities that are in my future.

Nick and I went to Atlanta over the weekend and what an experience that was! We were to arrive around 11 but got in around 2 AM due to weather. The hotel we stayed in was a little less than kosher. :) Nick is in charge of the hotel next time for sure.

While we were there we met some really wonderful people and I have started to look at life in a community sort of way. It's not that I haven't felt this way before, I just haven't had the time to act on it.

What if we all had a place to be a part of, feel good about helping the community, look at cool things while we were at it and feel like you were part of something special.

I have been blessed with a lot of time at the moment to which I am sure, was granted so that I can do something good for others. I hope to bring this to your community soon! I'm keeping my elbows crossed.

As my week progressed, I had the opportunity to hear Barack Obama speak in Dallas. What a treat this was. A special friend took me with the VIP treatment. A year ago I would never have guessed that I would have the opportunities that I have had, simply from thinking walking would be too difficult.

I stood for 2 hours and even ended up giving my seat to a girl that became ill. I was really tired in this picture as it was the end of the day but, I remember, not too long ago, how hard it was to stand for even 20 minutes. It is such a great feeling to be so much more "able" even though I get that "dis" attachment every now and then.

It's been a very moving week and I hope to keep the momentum going. I feel as if my life has been put into fast motion sometimes and I get excited about all the possibilities. Because of that, I was recently given some great advice: focus on one thing and do that one thing really well, everything else will follow.

I am starting to believe!

Love,

Jen

UNICEF World Water Day—March 22nd

Good morning! I am sitting in my kitchen with my door open so that I can hear and smell the rain. It's a bit chilly but it's so refreshing at the same time. What is it about rain or water in general?

My husband and I often sit outside or look for the sound of water running. We tend to gravitate towards nature in many ways and with a bit of a push from my hubby I have found such an appreciation of the beauty in the outdoor life. I tend to believe surfing in Australia would give him that appreciation. I'm so jealous. :)

Because we live in a world that we can take water for granted due to the accessibility, I challenge you to recognize what a privilege this truly is. I participated in World Water Day last year and had the opportunity to share this at People Newspapers (search my name if you are interested). The event was very successful and created a lot of awareness!

Let me take a step back and explain why this captures my heart. Nearly 1.1 billion (roughly 20% of the world's population) lack access to safe drinking water. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day. Out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of 5.

A third of the earth's population lives in "water stressed" countries and that number is expected to rise dramatically over the next two decades. The problem is worst in developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Because of this, we can do the smallest things to not waste water and support change in this area. If your ever in Starbucks and need water, the proceeds from the Ethos water bottles support this cause.

I have really been able to understand the value of taking things for granted and it makes me look at life in a way that I can say "is it that important?" Do we need to run water as we brush our teeth, do we need 20 minute showers?

I will be out of town for the event this year but I challenge you to educate yourself at World Water Day Dot Net and explore the simple opportunity to make someone else's world a better place. The event is one day but the cause should be a lifetime. Get this on your calendar!

Love,

Jen