Something to Ponder

I haven't blogged in such a long time! So here begins a resolution that I will start writing more frequently. On that note, I recently found a great quote by the Dalai Lama that I want to start saying when I wake up tomorrow morning:

"Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can."'

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patagonia

Patagonia is having their summer sale, but it ends TODAY! I just ordered some great organic cotton tees, but they also have pants for great prices if you don't mind buying them, before trying them on. This is not a legit advertisement, and I am not getting paid to promote Patagonia, I promise! I just thought I would spread a little retail luck!

Being a Ballerina

In the past, I've talked about how I used to take ballet, but I've never mentioned how grateful I am that the studio never once hesitated to let me take classes because I have Cerebral Palsy.

Recently, I read this article, published three years ago that talks about a ballet class for girls with Cerebral Palsy and other conditions located in Queens, New York. This class was established by Joann Ferrara,a physical therapist, because ballet studios were refusing to let these girls with Cerebral Palsy join.

Learn more or sign up for classes at, Dancing Dreams, Ferrara's therapeutic non-profit dance studio here.

In 2007, Ferrara published a pre-school level book entitled Ballerina Dreams, which shares the story of five little girls, with Cerebral Palsy, pursuing their dreams of dancing Ballet. Find it here.


The original article, along with a short video, was published in the New York Times and can be found here.
The post featured on Parent Dish can be found here.

The Saga of Mr. Mistoffelees Look-alike

This little fellow will be joining my family as of the 31st of this month.
He currently resides in Brooklyn New York,
which is a 5 or 6 hour drive from my house.
Why are we adopting a kitten from so far away?
Answer: because either of fate or coincidence.
A telephone conversation with my uncle
about adopting cats.
During the telephone conversation,
my uncle gets an email
from his co-worker,
which explains that this kitten
was found outside his co-worker's apartment
and has lived in the apartment for two weeks.
He is very sweet and adorable, but
they can't keep him because they already have
three cats.

Possible names for him:
Eliot Brooklyn
Tucker (Tux) Eliot
Tux for short because he is a tuxedo cat.
I'm so excited and name suggestions would be much appreciated!

Another Sweet Story

I just read this story in the Washington Post and in someways it reminds me of this book (cute, touching, and they are both about a delicious red strawberry).

Do you have any touching family stories that have been passed down through the generations?

NIH involved with Cerebral Palsy Awareness

The National Institute of Heath (NIH) has a number of Cerebral palsy resources and conducts a number of cerebral palsy related clinical trials every year. The various resources are extremely thorough and useful. I was especially happy when I came across a list of organizations, on the website, that support research and awareness of all things Cerebral Palsy.

1. The Cerebral Palsy international Research Foundation: Supports research for Cerebral Palsy and is currently selling "Hope Bracelets" to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy because 100% of the proceeds go to benefit the efforts CPIRF. I love the look of these bracelets and i think I'm tempted to get one for myself.

2. Pedal With Pete: Their mission is to " raise funds for research to improve the quality of life for persons with Cerebral Palsy. "

I hope these resources will be helpful to someone!

Delovely Day

I hope you all had and are having a great Friday! Someone used the word "delovely" in my yearbook (yay for the end of school=), so I thought it would be an appropriate post title.

Anyhoo, in celebration of this absolutely delovely day I think you should read this amazing story!

In an instant, it will warm your heart and bring you to tears.

I promise!