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When they wouldn’t let my daughter on the bus because of her wheelchair…
When they wouldn’t let my daughter on the bus because of her wheelchair… Parents know the feeling well. When someone is mean to your child there is a rage that ignites in your heart and explodes throughout your body. I’ve had to deal with this incredibly strong, mama bear emotion, many times since my daughter became paralyzed at the age of ten. Most people, especially friends and family, have always been caring and supportive, however, throughout the years we’ve had our run-ins especially when it came to traveling. My daughter, Arielle, witnessed on many occasions me turning from quiet, peaceful, please don’t draw attention to me, mom, to the Incredible Hulk Mama Bear…
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Kittens
Kittens It’s hard to believe that it was only eight days ago when I took in this beautiful creature. Our neighborhood has unsterilized feral cats and I’m on a mission to spay and neuter. Momma cat and her kittens have filled the void of loneliness from missing Buddy with love. New life. New hope. She gave birth to 6 kittens on February 10th. Help in our Community If you live in Lee County and have a feral cat population in your neighborhood, Animal Services can help you. Check out this page: TNR Trap-Nueter-Return Here are some interesting articles on why the TNR program was started as an alternative to euthanizing feral cats.…
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Valentine’s Day Cookie Pies
Valentine’s Day Cookie Pies Oh, how I love Valentine’s Day! Forget the daily spinach salad and healthy snacks, I’ll be eating chocolate all day long. Since my beautiful daughter is away at college studying, practicing with her team and writing for NPR (so cool!) I asked some friends to bake a Valentine treat with me this year. I ended up with a house full of children. Luckily, they knew what they were doing and stopped me from putting my plastic pie press in the oven. “Wait! That will melt…won’t it?” I pretended like I was just testing them. “Very good! Never put plastic in a four hundred degree oven.” I blame…
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Valentine’s Day Treats
Valentine’s Day Treats It’s almost my favorite holiday! Valentine’s Day! Why is it my favorite? Not because I want roses or chocolate, although Mr. Rausin, feel free to surprise me. It’s my favorite holiday because we celebrate love. Valentine’s Day is about letting the people in our lives know we love them. Here are some great Valentine’s Day ideas that don’t break the bank and show those we love how much they mean to us. Heart Wreath. Website: No Time For Flash Cards Teacher Valentine’s Day Gift. Drink Tumbler. Website: Mama Cheaps Book Bucks! Website: Imagination Soup Easy Valentine’s Day cookies. Website: Family fresh meals Valentine Snickerdoodles Valentine Pupcakes Valentine Cupcakes with a candy…
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The letter that made me cry
The letter that made me cry When I have author visits with schools I tell the students my inspiration behind writing MYSTIC. Arielle. Before I knew I was going to write a fantasy, I knew I would have a protagonist who used a wheelchair. Arielle was reading many books as a fourth grader in the Accelerated Reader program and not one of them had characters using a wheelchair. Meanwhile, I watched as Arielle’s life changed and she had to persevere through many obstacles while surrounded by able bodied people who she continually had to educate about these obstacles. Kids as well as adults could behave in ways that were insensitive. Playgrounds were not accessible and often her friends would run…
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What’s Trending in the Rausin House
What’s Trending in the Rausin House Me embarrassing my kids with titles like: What’s Trending in the Rausin House. Books! Arielle recommended I read: THE HAPPINESS PROJECT and IS EVERYONE HANGING OUT WITHOUT ME? First, I have to read, THE INVENTION of WINGS, by one of my favorite authors. Sue Monk Kidd Today, I received this text from Arielle: 16 mile push (translation-she did 16 miles in her racing wheelchair), I have to go to work and then class until 10pm. Have you seen the trailer for THE FAULT IN OUR STARS? With all that’s on her plate she still had time to check out the trailer? For a book as good…
