Stay 'Til the End of the Credits

I've learned a valuable lesson about movies lately.  Stay until the end of the credits.  Sometimes, you won't get more than the names of everyone involved.  More often than not, you will get a special surprise at the end of the movie that makes it so worth the few extra minutes.  Now, your life will not be different if you choose to leave the theater at the beginning of the credits or turn off the DVD player at this point.  Your life will not be different if you stay to see the very end.  But, you just might have a great time and see something that will make you laugh or peak your interest.  Besides, is it really worth a few extra minutes fighting the crowd to the parking lot?  So, stay and enjoy yourself.  You never know what you might see.

Too Old to Play in the Snow???

Well, it has happened.  I was hoping it never would (or at least wait for a while longer).  We had a gorgeous snow last weekend, and I expected the kiddos to run right out and play in it.  I thought our lot would be full of snowmen, snow forts, etc.  I thought the sleds and snowboard might find some use.  I was wrong.  Last weekend and most of this week they had no interest in even going outside.  Last night, they decided to head outside to play.  And, almost as quickly, they were back inside.  No snowmen or snow forts.  :(  There was the very beginning of a castle, but it was left abandoned and not finished.  The reason they gave for coming in was "too cold." 

I'd like to say I thought it would never happen, but it happened to me.  At some point, I stopped loving to play in the snow.  Don't know exactly when that was.  If anyone knows, let me know.  All I know is that it was long before the wheelchair became part of my life.  I'm a little bit relieved and thankful now that I have a good excuse for not playing in the snow.  :)

I don't think my son has completely outgrown his playing in the snow.  The boots he insists on wearing to school each day and the wet jeans and socks he comes home with every afternoon tell a different story.  Plus, when packing for Grandma and Grandpa's house, he packed snow boots, snow pants, snowboard, helmet, and goggles.  Maybe he is just influenced by his sister when he is home.  Besides, our flat lot isn't the best place to snowboard. He can't give up playing in the snow if he wants to be like Shawn White someday.

How do you feel about snow?

Why I Don't Drive

One of the hardest things about the changes after the accident was the fact that I lost the ability to drive.  I cherish my independence and it has been hard to be dependent on others for transportation.  There are no spontaneous trips left in my life.  There are no more mother/child trips just by ourselves.  It has taken me a long time, but I think I'm finally OK without driving. 

I know they make hand controls that would allow me to work around my right foot not working.  And, I have to admit there have been times I thought that would be a good idea.  I am finally convinced (at least for this minute) that driving is not OK for me.  It is less about my right side motor skills issue and more about my brain injury--specifically my lack of reaction time. If a basketball comes flying out of bounds, I don't even know I should react until it is already flown by my head and everyone around me is ducking.  :)  Can you imagine that reaction time behind the wheel of a car?

If I were driving, I would be taking the kiddos to school every morning.  If you have ever been part of drop off time, you know it is a mad house.  Cars are stopping in the middle of the driving lane to let kids out.  Kids are dashing across the street between cars to get into the school.  One thing I have discovered about myself after my traumatic brain injury is that I must 100% of the time follow the rules exactly.  So, I know I would drive the school zone speed limit.  However, I don't think that would make it hurt less if I couldn't stop in time before hitting a car that stopped suddenly in front of me or a kid darting across the street.  So, it is just safer for everyone involved if I don't get behind the wheel.  I hope everyone out there that does drive has better reaction time than me.  :)

Being Pampered

I had a Daisy Blue Naturals party at my house today.  While all of it was fun, the best part is being pampered and buying products to be pampered in the future.  Hand massages are absolutely amazing.  My poor dry knuckles needed some extra special care and attention.   Maybe now they won't get bloody so quickly when I beat them up with the door frames as I try to wheel my chair from room to room.  I think I'm getting spoiled.  The hand massage was my favorite part of my manicure last week too.  Maybe I need to schedule one hand massage per week.  :)
Massages in general are my favorite form of pampering.  Unfortunately my table massage experience is not so relaxing now.  I can manage to get on and off the table and enjoy the massage while it is happening.  However, what my body has to go through to get me off the table safely completely undoes any good the massage just did.  Now, I love chair massages, hand massages, scalp massages, foot massages, anything that doesn't create the need to contort my body to get on and off a table. 

Pampering for me, involves curling up on the couch with a good book.  It is also pampering and relaxing to spend time with great women just enjoying ourselves like we did this morning.  Every woman needs some girl time every now and then.

Here's a list of some of my favorite pampering activities:

• Massages
• Time with a good book
• Listening to great quiet music
• Scented wax burner (or candle if you can manage the flame)
• Manicure
• Having hair washed by someone else
• Used to be soaking in the tub (any ideas when I can only shower now?)
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate
• Funny movie
• Alone and quiet time

What are some of the ways you pamper yourself?  Or at least would like to?

Rock Star Parking

When asked if there are any good parts to being in a wheelchair, I always respond, "Rock Star Parking."  (Thanks Rob for teaching me that phrase.)

However, as I discovered again today Disabled parking permits should not necessarily mean disabled parking. It is still possible to park straight and within the lines of the parking space. It is not necessary to park on the wheelchair loading zone. It is not necessary to “borrow” someone’s permit and hop out of your close parking spot and almost run into the store.   It is not necessary to park on the sidewalk.  It is definitely not necessary to break the bar at the end of the parking spot signalling you to stop.  (Don't know what that's called)

I'm thankful for disabled parking because it puts me closer to the door.  It doesn't force me or my care attendant to weave through cars and cars to find mine and dodge those backing out that can't always see me because I'm low to the ground.  I'm thankful I can avoid much weather because my parking spot is closer.  The kiddos enjoy close access to entrances at places like Disney.  :)

What are some other benefits of the Rock Star Treatment that comes with a disability?

• Avoiding long lines at amusement parks
• The occasional restaurant who seats you first
• Reserved floor seating at concerts
• Larger bathrooms (to accommodate wheelchair)

I know there are more.  What are some of the others you can think of?

Who Says You Need to Watch Football During Your Party Tonight?

We had a party at our house around the same time millions of people were having parties watching football.  We had special, yummy party food and tons of fun.  We started by watching part of a movie while we ate snacks and then playing on the Wii.  It was way more fun watching each other jump and dance around trying to figure out the new Wii games.  I think there was more laughter in our house during game time time this year than there has ever been in years past.  I would totally recommend playing the Wii for any fun family party.  Of course, if you are a die hard football fan, you may need to save it for half time.  :)  By the way, if you want tons of laughs and the chance to shake your fists like an ape, Donkey Kong is the game for you.

What about the rest of you?  How did you spend the evening?