Little Reminders in Life

As I was leaving the library yesterday, I decided to take this picture of the statue that's in the entrance of the library.

Not until after I got home, and was doing some editing of this picture, did I realize, I never properly look at this statue.

I knew it was of people, but I didn't really pay attention to how they were standing/positioned. I have gotten so used to it over the years, that I just never gave the statue a second thought. The statue has been a part of the library for as long as I can remember.

It made me realize that every once in a while, I need to slow down, and enjoy the world around me. To truly see the beauty in life.

I love moments like this! Where something reminds me to just slow down, and be aware. Be in the now. It helps me enjoy life even more, to be more thankful for this life.

International Day of Acceptance

Today is the International Day of Acceptance.

What is International Day of Acceptance?

It is:

A day dedicated to social acceptance of disability and to honor the late Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love and creator of the International Symbol of Acceptance.

That description is from the Day of Acceptance website.

I love that there is something like this, that brings awareness to disabilities, letting people know that those with disabilities are human beings, just like them, and that they want to be treated with respect, love, and dignity.

I myself have a learning disability, and although it isn't as severe as other disabilities, I do understand, to some extent, of what other people with disabilities go through.

Just remember, if you meet someone with any kind of disability, whether physical, emotional, etc., they don't want to be seen or treated as a disability. They want to be seen as a person. Treat them with respect. Treat them as the person they are.


Happy International Day of Acceptance!!

Joni and Friends Retreats 2015

I just found out that this years' Joni and Friends Retreats are now open for registration. I seriously want to go to one, but money is tight, and I don't know if I will be able to go this year.

Joni and Friends Retreats are like summer camps, where people with disabilities, and their families, can go for a week to just relax, unwind, and not think about the stresses in their life.

I really hope I can figure out a way to get the money before everything fills up. These retreats sound like a lot of fun.

I am trying to think of ways to fundraise money for this one retreat, that I really want to go to, which costs $460. It's one of the least expensive ones, but still expensive for me.

I'm not dead set on going this year, because of the cost, but I want to start saving for one of these retreats, as I seriously want to go.

As I am typing on, I am thinking of having bake sales to raise money. I don't know if it'll be quite enough, but it's an idea, and I am willing to give it a try.

Here's to hoping I can volunteer at a retreat someday!!

My Bucket List for 2015

I have decided to do a bucket list for the whole year, instead of just for one season.

• Make a snowman in the winter
• Get a job
• Learn to decorate cakes
• Work on book I want to publish
• Plant/grow a garden
• Make sweater for dad
• Buy a full-sized violin for myself
• Learn to make one new dish a week/month
• Volunteer at the local animal shelter
• Clean up my bedroom, and keep it clean
• Paint my bedroom walls
• Make at least one flower crown
• Volunteer at a Joni & Friends Retreat
• Become certified in CPR/First Aid
• Make a rainbow cake
• Learn to sew
• Go on a weekend trip by myself
• Find new places in town to visit
• Make homemade ice cream
• Have a picnic in the park with friends
• Go bowling
• Take one photo a day for one year
• Tie dye shirts/other articles of clothing
• Go paintballing
• See the Bean in person
• Make homemade mac and cheese
• Fill eggs with paint and toss them at a canvas
• Put positive notes in a public area
• Visit Brookfield Zoo
• Go to the local Farmer's Market
• Make s'mores
• Go to garage sales/estate sales
• Relearn Spanish
• Go sledding in winter
• Make/drink egg nog
• Make a gingerbread house
• Go ice skating
• Make bread from scratch
• Get my picture taken with Santa in winter
• Participate in the annual winter fest
• Skpe with someone
• Go to thrift shops each month
• Get my driver's license
• Make a pinata
• Start drinking tea regularly
• Visit Navy Pier
• Visit the Adler Planetarium
• Visit the Museum of Science and Industry
• Make a YouTube video
• Make care packages for the homeless
• Have a friend sleep over at my place
• Go for a bike ride with friends
• Go to Glendale Heights Fest with friends
• Have a movie night with friends
• Have a girls' night in/out with friends
• Read A Christmas Carol
• Go horseback riding
• Eat at Atlas Kafe
• Eat at Mama Thai
• Go mini golfing with friends and/or family
• Build something at Build-a-Bear
• Start my own garden
• Go swimming at least twice during the summer
• Dye eggs for Easter
• Finger paint
• Blow bubbles on a really cold day, to make frozen bubbles
• Visit the Morton Arboretum
• Hang out on Lake Michigan with friends
• Learn how to French braid
• Have a hot fudge sundae
• Try snowboarding
• Visit the Shedd Aquarium
• Volunteer at an animal shelter
• Jump off the diving board (I'm afraid of heights, and even diving boards scare me)
• Make paper snowflakes (something I haven't done since I was in elementary school)
• Go on a shopping spree
• Take pictures in a photo booth
• Visit the Chicago Botanic Gardens
• Go to Six Flags for a day
• Own at least one knitting loom

This is all I can think of at this time, but I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on.

One Goal I REALLY Want To Start...And Keep...

Is to exercise five days a week, and to eat healthier.

I have been wanting to for ages, but I just never did anything about it. So, I am hoping that 2015 will be the year for better health for me.

I am asking friends to help me become more accountable for what I do and eat, so I can get this goal going. Officially. And keep it going.

I really want to take up Zumba, yoga, and maybe Pilates. They have interested me for quite some time, but I never really did anything with them yet. I am thinking I may do one, one day, another a different day, and so on. Maybe.

There are a few exercise centers within a few blocks of my house, that I am thinking of checking out, if I decide to go to one on a regular basis.

Exercise isn't one of my favorite things, but I have checked out videos on Zumba, yoga, and Pilates, and they seem to make exercising a lot more fun, and enjoyable. So, hopefully I will be more willing to get moving more often this year.