Imagine All the Glitter

{The framed Imagine poster that is above my desk at work that reminds me
anything is possible if you just imagine.}

Once you have gotten to know me, you will find out that I like to surround myself with things that inspire me. I want the places that I spend the most time in to mirror not only my decorating tastes, but to also have some sort of personal meaning to me. At work, it is very easy to be inspired without any decorating at all; simply by interacting with the wonderful families that are in need of our hospital's services, you can't help but get that warm fuzzy feeling when you are here. However, here are a few things that make me happy in my office.

{The glitter Lava Lamp that sits on my desk sending cheerful sparkles throughout the room. A girl can never have enough glitter!}

{A large cork board with pictures, cards and trinkets given to me from patients.}

{A jeweled plaque with one of my favorite sayings that is displayed by my office door where I can see it while sitting at my desk.}

{A fun caricature of my hubby and I done at a company Christmas party,
with adorable bride and groom bears sitting near.}

{A romantic stone carved paperweight from my hubby that is a reminder of the
amazing love we have in our marriage!}

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Today I received the prettiest pink hydrangea arrangement as a belated bday gift from a very special volunteer at the hospital where I work.

My morning has been filled with impromptu deadlines, photo shoots, clown visits to our patients . . . it's been non-stop, and the afternoon isn't looking any slower.

So today's blog is much simpler than I would have liked, but this is really the first time (on my lunch break) that I have had time to log in today.

I hope your day is going well and even in the chaos, I hope that you will remember to stop and smell the flowers. . .thanks to my volunteer I will!

When Harry Met Jamie

My husband and I have much in common when it comes to music, especially our love for big band and jazz style music. One of our favorite performers is the multi-talented musician and actor, Harry Connick Jr. In our 10 years together, we have seen Harry in concert a number of times; each performance leaving us awestruck by the talent on the stage.

His most recent performance in February of 2010 however would certainly be the most memorable for us both. We had purchased our tickets within minutes of them being available for order and with that excitement I had an idea. You see, I work in PR for a local children's hospital. What if I could reach out to Harry's PR person to see about his visiting our patients?  I would be lying if I said this quest was solely with the betterment of our patients in mind.

In a matter of minutes searching online, I was able to locate his managing company and without hesitation I put in my request. Hopeful that I would receive a response, but not counting on the acceptance of the invitation I waited. The next morning I had a reply from his manager, "Mr. Connick would be delighted to come to the hospital to visit the patients. As his schedule becomes clearer we will be in touch to work out the details." Was I reading that correctly? Harry Connick Jr. was going to be coming to the hospital? This was a dream come true!

As the date of the concert approached I was in close contact with his manager. Everything seemed to be a go. Then the bad news struck. The day before the concert I received a call stating that Harry was sick. The concert was still a go for the next day; however, he would not be able to visit the hospital. As much of a let down as it was, I knew we were still going to be seeing him in concert the next night. "We feel really bad to have to cancel on such short notice. I know that you and your husband are going to the concert tomorrow night. I'd like to put you both on the VIP list to get to go backstage to meet Harry after the show." OH MY GOD!!!! Was this really happening? I gladly accepted and couldn't wait to call my husband with the news.

At the concert we nervously went to the ticket office to pick up our back stage passes. What if there was a mistake? What if our names were not on the list? When it was our turn in line we told the clerk our names and that we were there to pick up our VIP passes. Without hesitation she handed them over. I think we both felt like Charlie with his golden ticket from Willy Wonka!

The show was AMAZING as it always is. Harry performed songs from his newest album, told jokes (He is so funny), danced and played a number of different instruments. My husband and I sat hand in hand, enjoying the talents of Harry and his band.

After the show had ended and the lights came up in the theater we were instructed to put on the VIP sticker and head to a door that led to the backstage area. Butterflies were in both of our stomachs. I remember saying to my husband, "OK, I'm not going to act all star struck or like a crazed fan. I'm going to call him Mr. Connick."  We were in a line of fifty people or so. As we inched closer to the greeting room we both kept commenting on how surreal this experience was. We had seen him in concert so many times, watched him in different movies and on different TV shows and now we were going to be face to face with him.

It was finally our turn to meet Harry. He had changed from the suit he had been wearing to a track suit and baseball hat. As we approached he had a huge smile on his face as he said hello. My initial plan of saying, "Hello Mr. Connick" went right out the window; "HI HARRY!" in a high pitched squeal of excitement is what came out.

The three of us talked for a few minutes like we were old friends. Working in PR, I have met a handful of celebrities and hands down Harry Connick Jr. was the most down to earth, friendly and welcoming that I have met. He asked us if we wanted to take a picture, which of course we both said yes. 

 

We left that night with memories that will last us a lifetime, a picture with one of our favorite artists and best of all, bragging rights to our friends and family.

Keepin' It Under Cover

Is your plunging neckline revealing a little too much? No problem – reach for Miss Oops Boob Tube for a very reasonable $14.99! Made of a 95% rayon, 5% spandex blend available in a lace or solid option and in a variety of different colors, this modern day bandeau gives you just the right amount of coverage without the added bulk of another layer.

My biggest problem has never been having too much showing. . .I unfortunately am a bit lacking in the cleavage department; however I am also short in the torso (Double whammy!). So any neckline that is too wide in the shoulders or cut too low I would fidget with all day long. Pulling it back to raise the neckline so my bra would not show, no matter which kind of bra I would wear. 


I get so frustrated when I go shopping only to find many of the styles today for woman are made to accentuate the bust line, and that just doesn't work for me. I don't need a turtleneck, but for goodness sake, you don't need to see my bellybutton either.

Another option for a bandeau style top is the nylon rayon spandex blend Seamless Bandeau Strapless Tube Top for a mere $5.50 by FineBrandShop on Amazon! A few months ago I purchased both the black and white version to see if this might be the answer to my fashion struggles.  

I was thrilled with the results it gave me and for $5.50 I wasn't passing that deal up! I have now purchased or been gifted with nearly every color available. I no longer have to worry if a top or dress is cut too low, and mixing and matching the different colored bandeau tops with my outfits is almost as fun as adding a stylish accessory. 

I'm 33!

I love birthdays! I always have. There's just something special about waking up to a day that will celebrate and be all about YOU! I was fortunate this year to share my birthday with Easter. In my lifetime my birthday has never fallen on Easter, and it just felt a bit more special for my 33rd yr.

There seems to be a running tradition with my husband when it comes to celebrating my birthday. I don't just get a birth"day" I get a whole week of celebrating (I'm not complaining!).

So throughout the week there has been the aforementioned black raspberry ice cream find. . .not really a planned birthday gift, but I'll take it!

The homemade birthday dinner made for me special by my parents. It was my choice. I could choose anything I wanted. My choice? My mom's pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls and salad. My mouth is watering again just thinking about how good it was.

The to die for Publix birthday cake in my favorite yellow cake with butter cream icing flavors. It was decorated in such a pretty Spring theme.

The Easter lilies I was given at church at the Easter service.

A glittery Easter card from my hubby, with two more birthday cards that came later in the day with the sweetest sentiments. I love the blingy-ness of this card!

An adorably wrapped birthday gift from my grandparents.

An abundance of gifts from my wonderful hubby.

And what did hubby get me you ask? Ed Hardy's "Born Wild" bath set.

and the 3rd season of The Big Bang Theory. . .a must see if you haven't already!

The celebration continued into the evening with a lovely steak dinner at the Texas Cattle Company.

Remembering I mentioned I get a birthday week right? The festivities will continue on Monday with a birthday lunch held for me by my most fabulous co-workers and friends and at the end of the week, a special birthday present delivery from my parents. . .details of that to follow.

With another year behind me and a new one just beginning, I am reminded of just how blessed I am. I woke up to over 50 happy birthday wishes on Facebook with more added throughout the day, phone calls from family and friends, Twitter birthday wishes and more hugs, kisses and birthday celebrations than a girl could ask for.

32 was a great year for me. Looking back there were quite a few large events that happened: I became an aunt for the first time, I was an extra in a major motion picture film, I met Harry Connick Jr, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson and I started "I Look Good Today" just to name a few. 

For my 33rd year I am hoping for big things. I'm hoping for new revelations in my life. I'm hoping for self growth and enrichment.

I have been blessed with so many wonderful people and things in my lifetime and I thank each and every one for making my #33 such a memorable day!!!

7 Things

Things I’m Passionate About

- My hubby

- My family

- A home cooked meal

- The 2 goats (the boys) that live close to my house.

- Watching lightning bugs come alive as it starts to get dark.

- Perfume

- Being a woman of God, not just by title.

Things I Say Often
- “Well there you go”

- “Hmmmm”

- “You’re so cute”

- “I’m so excited about . . .”

- “Dear Lord!”

- “Exactly!”

- “Hi Honey”

- “I love you”

- “Watch me!”

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over

- Dream for an Insomniac

- Clue

- My Big Fat Greek Wedding

- Birdcage

- A Christmas Story

- Rocky Horror Picture Show

What I want the world to see when they look at me?

- I’m ambitious.

- I’m smart.

- I love my husband, my family and friends.

- I'm dedicated to the people and causes I love.

- I want to help people.

- I won’t let my disability stand in my way.

- I want to make a difference in the world.

Things that attract me to my hubby

- He makes me laugh daily.

- He doesn’t see me as having any limitations.

- His amazing smile.

- His “Little Jamie” voice that only I get to hear.

- He gives good hugs.

- His love of animals.

- His huge heart.

Songs I Can Listen to Over and Over
- Ordinary, Wayne Brady

- Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion

- The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra

- It Had to Be You, Harry Connick Jr

- I Know the Plans I Have for You, Martha Munizzi

- Goodnight My Love, Harry Connick Jr

- I Want You To Want Me, Letters to Cleo

- Bye Bye, Jo Dee Messina

- Someone Else’s Star, Bryan White

- Feels Like Home, Leann Rimes

Things I want to do before I die
- Take vocal lessons. I love to sing and have been in choirs, but I've never had one-on-one training.

- Learn to speak a second language; preferably Italian or French since that is my heritage.

- Travel to Italy, Australia and Ireland.

- Write and publish a book.

- Do my hair myself without any help.

- Own a dog.

- Make sure all of my loved ones know just how much I love them!

Freedom

Freedom. That is what a wheelchair means to so many people, including myself. Without my wheelchair, my world stands still. 

For the first seven years of my life, I depended on my family to help me with the simplest of everyday tasks. Around the house, I was used to "scooting" on the floor to get from room to room on my own. While at school, I depended on friends to push my manual wheelchair from the classroom to the cafeteria and back again. I was under the constant control of others, and I hated it.

A physical therapist suggested that my family get me a power wheelchair. I went through a number of tests to verify that I was able to control a power wheelchair safely. A few months later my "convertible," as it became known around the house, arrived.

Because it was the early 1980's, my choice of color for the cushions on my chair was hot pink of course. Not only was it the hippest of colors, but it would show off my true girlie nature. The very first time that I sat in the chair, I felt my first bit of freedom and independence. Before that moment, I could only dream about it.

Gone were the days of asking to be taken to another room of the house. No more waiting for my mom to finish washing the dishes before I would make my journey. I moved on my time and went where I wanted to go.

All these years later, I can't imagine how I lived without my power wheelchair. My "convertible" has taken me through college, to work, to my own house AND down the aisle at my wedding. My "convertible" is now so high-tech, I can even look eye-to-eye with my six-foot tall husband.

More than mobility, my power chair has given me confidence—confidence to look in the mirror each morning, knowing that I’m going to make a difference in the world, and confidence to say, "I look good today" and truly mean it.

Many don't understand that to disabled individuals, a wheelchair, whether manual or power, means everything. These chairs are the legs that will get us from one place to another when our own body will not. With a wheelchair, no longer will disabled individuals sit idly and watch while the world passes them by.

My life has been forever changed by the freedom, both physically and emotionally, that my power wheelchair has brought to me. I go through life knowing that whatever obstacles come my way, I will persevere.

If you see me on the sidewalk, passing by in my convertible, you can rest assured that nothing will hold me back again.

Oh, and one more thing. "If you don't like my driving. . .get off the sidewalk."

Black Raspberry Dreams

I've been telling my husband that Monday started my birthday week (My birthday is April 24 in case you want to send flowers or chocolates or any other gift you may be so inclined to send to your new favorite blogger.) and I was going to enjoy every single minute of it.

After work on Monday we went grocery shopping for a few basic things. My hubby suggested we look in the ice cream section for a sweet treat to have after dinner. I like ice cream, but he LOVES it. I cannot stress how much he loves it.

In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned how black raspberry ice cream was my absolute favorite and how I cannot find it anywhere, but my home state of PA. I must admit though, the fact I can only get the ice cream once a year during our Summer visit does make it extra special and perhaps why I love it so much.

Well, as we were looking at the assortment of ice cream flavors, suddenly the clouds parted, the angels started singing and there it was. . .Breyers Black Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream!

This was how the conversations went:

Me: What kind of ice cream do you want to get this time? I didn't really like the blueberry cream pie lite ice cream we tried last time.

Hubby: You didn't? It's almost gone, I kinda liked it.

Me: Hmmm this black raspberry chocolate sounds like something I would try. (LONG PAUSE). Did I just say BLACK RASPBERRY!!???

Before either one of us could question it, that container of icy raspberry goodness was in our cart and headed for the check out.

I couldn't wait until we finished dinner that night to have a taste of home that I miss so much! And it was SOOO GOOD!

So thank you Breyers Ice Cream for making this Florida girl's birthday week kick off to an amazing start!

What's It Going to Cost Me?

Ever since I started making my own money, I was always more cautious of how much I spent on just one item. I remember turning 16 and getting $500 as a birthday gift to go on a shopping spree with. CHA-CHING!

I remember entering the mall feeling like all of my hearts desires were finally within my reach. Literally within a few hours my $500 was gone and to be honest, I didn't have much to show for it. Give me $500 to go shopping with now and I'll load up my car with new favorite pieces to add to my wardrobe.

One of my best girlfriends bought me The Shopaholic's Daily Calendar for 2011 and I just love its daily tips, quotes and fashion blog/website suggestions. Today's tip is definitely one of the most helpful when fighting those urges on whether or not to splurge for that Milly lime green cashmere sweater you (er, I) have been dreaming about at night that is taunting you on Ebay. Do you up your bid or let that precious piece go to save yourself from emptying your life's savings and probably regretting it later?

The cost-per-wear formula is my new go to tool when I am trying to figure out what I should and shouldn’t splurge on. According to the formula, items with high cost-per-wear’s, such as a formal party dress and other formal stuff that you only wear every-so-often are actually more impractical to splurge on than slightly more expensive items that you will wear/use on a more regular basis.


Here’s the magic formula. Commit it to memory immediately!

Cost Per Wear = $ Cost of Garment / Number of times you’ll wear it.

Here’s a look at the formula in action: For example, if you buy a cheap top for $20 and wear it twice before it goes out of style or falls apart, that top cost you $10 per wear. If you buy an amazing pair of Rag and Bone jeans that flatter your figure, and wear them just twice a week for a year, the formula is $165 / 104, and the jeans cost you just $1.58 per wear! See the difference? Although on my budget, I still can't imagine myself buying a pair of jeans for $165, but that's just me.

So put the cost-per-wear formula to work for you every time you aren’t sure if an item is worth its price, but the true key to this success is being honest with yourself! It will help you see the real value of everything you buy.

“Why Can’t You Walk?”

As my husband and I were shopping at a local department store, a little four-year-old girl ran over to me, placed her hands on her hips and very curiously asked, “Why can't you walk!?" 

While her very embarrassed mother tried to hide behind the clothing rack not wanting to claim her as her own, I tried to think of how I would explain to this child what my disability was in a way she could understand.

I could feel her eyes as they seemed to pierce through my very soul. Struggling to find the right words that would make her understand, my husband responded for me,

"She's lazy."

"OK!" she said as she skipped away completely satisfied with that answer.   

I never stop to think that I look "different" being in a wheelchair until experiences like this happen; and I'm OK with them when they do. My differences are what make me, ME.

And as for "she's lazy" goes; if it makes a child happy and comfortable with someone who is "different," then that's OK with me too.

I'm On the Mauve

I was looking for a mauve to plummy shade of lipstick for the Spring. You will typically find me in the more natural shades for lipstick, but I just wanted something different. I have tried the light pinks and nudes which seem to be quite the rave this season and  anything too light with my almond skin tone and dark hair and eyes just made my lips fade away.

Maybelline's  - Color Sensational "On the Mauve" is amazing! For a drugstore lipstick, it is at the top of my list for sure. One of the most universally flattering lipsticks I’ve seen. It's a beautiful light plum color (Definitely more purple than the mauve name suggests). I always feel instantly put together and surprisingly Springy with one easy swipe.

Still Learning from Barbie

I don't know about you, but playing with my Barbies as a young girl was one of my most favorite pass times.

Whether I was by myself or with girlfriends, I loved dressing these dolls in their latest fashions (Even then I loved clothes), doing their hair, going on dates with the hottest guy. . .er the only guy, Ken. I remember having the Barbie Dream House, the car, the hot tub, the home and office, the kitchen. . .

As a disabled child, it never occurred to me that there were no Barbies like me. Truth be told though, I could never live in Barbie's world. Her house had steps to the front door, no elevator to the second floor. Her car was a convertible with no opening trunk for my chair. The home office was way too small. It would be impossible!

Now in my 30s, my days of playing make believe with my Barbies have long since past, but in 2009 Becky, Barbie's disabled friend, would enter my world in the most interesting of ways.

I was writing a patient success story for an upcoming hospital event (As previously mentioned in my blog, I work in PR for a children's hospital.). The young lady I was interviewing had a laundry list of achievements: first person in a wheelchair to cheerlead in the state of FL, first person in a wheelchair to win Pre-Teen FL since it was founded in 1990 and at eight-yrs-old she posed a very intriguing question, "If Barbie can be a teacher, doctor or a cheerleader, why isn't there a Barbie in a wheelchair? Aren't we pretty enough to be a Barbie?"

Ok, I'll give you a minute to digest that. I can only image you are as taken back reading that last statement as I was hearing it! Well after a series of transfers and jotting down numbers, her mom spoke to the vice-president of media at Mattel. Amazingly, there had been a wheelchair Barbie many years ago and in very limited quantity. She was taken off the market "without giving it any real thought."

After hearing this story, I just had to have one! Since Becky was no longer in production, I headed to Ebay determined to find one of my very own.

Becky now sits proudly on my desk at work. Patients love to see and play with her and I hear, "Mom, she's just like me" all too often.

I'm reminded daily of the boldness of one eight-yr-old girl who fought for equality in a doll world made up of perfection every time I look at Becky. Looks like I'm still learning from Barbie!

Getting to Know Me

My name is Jamie.

I live in sunny FL.

I am a spoiled rotten only child :)

I went to college at the University of South Florida (GO BULLS) and got my degree in Mass Communications with a focus in TV Production and Direction.

I appeared in an advertising campaign for Edison State College (Community college when I was there). I was in a TV commercial, on a billboard and on the side of a bus. It is crazy pulling up beside a bus and seeing a giant version of yourself staring back at you!

I work in Public Relations.

I met my husband at my first "real job" after college in 2001. We started dating even after we both swore we didn't date people we worked with. That's because we were meant to be!

I can be very stubborn. I'm a Taurus, it comes naturally.

I love everything to do with fashion and makeup. . .oh and perfume. I have like 20 bottles.

I sang in my high school and college choirs.

I am obsessed with the TV show Glee and try to acquire as much Glee fashion as I can.

 Other TV addictions: Fringe, Dexter, True Blood, Big Bang Theory, Archer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Ghost Hunters and Cops.

My husband and I want a dog...badly!

I love taking pictures!

I have a slight addiction to soda. I have it in the morning instead of coffee.

Being from PA originally, I much prefer the mountains over the beach.

I love black raspberry ice cream. I can only find it back home in PA, so it is a real treat when I can get it!

In my sophmore year I helped start and was the editor-in-chief of my high school newsmagazine "The Plank".

I'm a twice published poet. 

I get cold easily. Even in the hot FL summer I wear socks to bed and I "burrow" under the covers with just the top of my head sticking out. My husband thinks it is so cute.

I have a determination to never let my disability stop me that reaches far beyond my own will. I know that was instilled in me as a young child by my family and my faith in God.

I was proposed to on a nature trail deep in the woods, in the rain. While I was busy looking for Bambi, he was getting on one knee. . .very romantic!

Went back to school for my Masters in Management degree in 2004 from Bellevue University in Nebraska. I did the full degree online in 16 months. Talk about dedication!

I am a hopeless romantic!

Years before I ever met my husband, while filming a video project for school, I said I wanted to get married in this church one day. On Oct 21, 2006 we did :)

I have become very involved with Tai Chi over the last year and see fabulous results from it!

 I love movies of all kinds. Some of my top favorites are: Dream for an Insomniac, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Devil Wears Prada, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mama Mia and Burlesque.

I am a HUGE Pittsburgh Steeler Fan. I bleed black and gold!

 

I'm an "Expert to the World" on liveperson.com. You can check out the video made about me when I was named one of their top 5 experts.

Uncontrollable bouts of laughter are an everyday occurrence for me.

Because we live in Florida, my hubby and I did not want to go anywhere tropical for our honeymoon. We went to the beautiful Bar Harbor, ME.




While on our honeymoon I was almost eaten by a Liger (A mix between a tiger and a lion) at a rescue zoo we visited. Evidently the "no strollers allowed" sign applied to wheelchairs as well. That kitty DID NOT like me!

My hubby and I were extras in the movie "Dolphin Tale" with Harry Connick Jr, Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson. It will be out in Sept 2011. You can watch the preview here.

I love everything about being married. I can't imagine a day without my husband in my life!

I Look Good Today!

Hello everyone!!

I've started this blog to tell my adventures of being a fabulous, outgoing girl who has gone through life sitting down and who wants to share the things that I love with other people! I want people to see that my wheelchair does not define me and if you get to know me, you will see that my life is filled with hilarious stories of overcoming challenges, endless exploration for my next favorite outfit, tasty treats and so much more. . .but most of all, I'm just me. I have the most wonderful husband in the world, I love my family, fashion, makeup, Glee, movies and just living life to the fullest.

So what does "I Look Good Today" really mean?

Every morning before high school, I, as any teenage girl, was concerned about my appearance. Did my hair look OK? What about my makeup? Oh, and if only I could see my whole outfit in the mirror! Sitting in a wheelchair made that very difficult, but I wanted to make sure I looked good nonetheless. 

Since I couldn’t see my entire body in my bedroom mirror, I kicked my power wheelchair into high gear and went to all the rooms in our house that had a mirror. Each of these mirrors gave me a different perspective of my body.

First, I looked in my bedroom mirror, which gave me a view from the chest up. “This shirt is a little snug with my back brace underneath it,” I thought. I had to wear a back brace to slow down the scoliosis causing an 84-degree curve to my spine. I'd give a few tugs here and there and perhaps even flip my long, dark, chestnut hair in front of my shoulders to take away some of the attention of the snug top. Now, I was ready for the next mirror.

The bathroom mirror was great! If I was back far enough, I could see my entire body. This mirror really just served as an overall check to make sure the outfit “flowed.” How did the shoes look? Should I wear a skirt rather than pants? Once I gave myself the fashion seal of approval, I was off to the mirror in the entry of the house.

This mirror gave me the head shot view. It was perfect for hair approval, which any teenage girl knows is crucial. That can make or break your day! Running my fingers through my hair, I tilted my head from side to side, hoping my smile would grab a cute guy's attention!

“Jamie, are you ready to go?” It was my mom, urging me to get going.“Yes, Mom!” I answered, mumbling a bit as I applied my favorite Real Raisin L’Oreal lipstick.

As we made our way to the car, taking note that I had all the needed books and completed homework for the day, I commented confidently, “Mom, guess what?”

“What, Jamie?”

“I look good today!”

     

Saying “I look good today” was more than my self esteem speaking. This small statement became the reminder that it didn’t matter if I was sitting in a wheelchair while all of my friends were walking. Also, by wearing the terribly hot, plastic back brace under my clothes, I might not be able to fit into the newest fashion trends. But that was okay. I was comfortable with ME, and I truly believed that I looked good that day. Because I exuded this type of inner confidence, everyone around me looked past my disability and saw me, Jamie, for who I really am.

I hope you will join me as I take on new challenges, share my thoughts on current interests and continue on this exciting and crazy ride called my life.