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Food Treat: Brownie in a mug

Treat yourself with a brownie in a mug! #recipe #cooking #bloggerlife #authorlife #treatyourself #brownie #sweet #dessert #treat #sweettooth

You know those moments where you’re so stressed that you need comfort? The moments when you need something sweet to make your day just a bit better?

I have the perfect treat for you!

A month or so ago, it was my husband’s birthday. We had just gotten back from visiting his family, the start of the deep freeze here in NY was happening, and I was battling a cold.

As we hung out and tried to stay…

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A Writer’s Notebook for my Writer’s Notebook

My Writer’s Notebook...and the notebooks for my notebook #author #organized #authorlife #writersnotebook #notebook #creativity #creative #notebookinception #ideas #plots #characters

So, here’s the thing. I’ve been reading a lot about writer’s notebooks and how to utilize them. Apparently a writer’s notebook is pretty significant…from what I’ve read, it helps keep track of everything from story ideas to character ideas and setting…people write dialogue in their notebooks and plot points.

Now I have a writer’s notebook…in fact, I’m on my fourth one. It’s a plain black notebook…

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The Not So Good Doctor

The Not So Good Doctor #televisionshow #television #disabledadult #disabledcharacter #disability #televisioncharacter #blogger #bloggeropinion

The Good Doctor…a show about an autistic young man who goes to medical school and becomes a resident, showing the world that a disability isn’t disabling unless you make it hat way.

Sounds awesome, right?

I was rooting for this show, I really wanted it to be good. Being technically disabled myself, I like seeing shows where other disabled people rise above and achieve things that others don’t…

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Today is my 30th birthday! I’m dirty, flirty and 30! To say that this birthday is a big one is an understatement. Turning thirty isn’t just the typical milestone for me like it is for other people. Turning thirty is a goal that no one was always sure that I would reach.

See, this is me when I was a baby. At that point, I had my first heart surgery and was probably working on another surgery. I’m not sure how old I was, exactly, at the moment, but I know that this was the beginning of a long, hard journey. My future was up in the air and my family was literally going day to day, hoping that I I would have another day to look forward to.

I know it sounds super dramatic, and some of you might not believe it, but trust me. It was just that bad.

It was so bad that my mother didn’t even want me to have this picture because she didn’t want me to see myself like this.

        This is me now, thirty years later. I have battled 28 surgeries, disappointments, scars, and God knows what else. I’ve had things taken away from me, put in me, and my whole life was flipped on its axis. But still, I persevered. I graduated from college, I got married, I own my own house. I took the bitterest lemons and made something with them. Better yet, I accomplished more than I thought was possible, and more than medical professionals thought I would be able to.

      So, for my thirtieth birthday, I didn’t celebrate just one day…I celebrated the whole weekend. From Friday until today I’ve been celebrating my life and having fun doing it.

Friday was a stay at home day, hanging out and binge watching movies with my hubby and our puppies. Then Saturday I hung out with my best friend for a few hours, going to the bookstore and shopping. Sunday was the super bowl, so hubby and I binged watched more shows, and sort of watched the super bowl (enough so that he didn’t feel left out when he goes back to work). Today we’re supposed to go to the movies but I might put that off because this girl is tired! Maybe we can have a video game night instead!

I ate too much, too much crappy food (what, it was party weekend) and drank so much caffeine that I’m surprised that I’ve even slept this weekend!

The best thing that happened this weekend was the surprise Harry Potter Birthday party that my amazing husband and awesome sisters put together for me.

Yes, you heard that right, a surprise Harry Potter birthday party! And if you guys know me at all, you know that Harry Potter is my all time favorite thing!

There was punch, lots of food, Qudditch Butter Beer Pong, and even floating candles. Yes, FLOATING CANDLES! Do you know what it took for these candles to float? The work that was put into this party was AMAZING and I’m so unbelievably grateful for my husband and my family for doing this.

This weekend was amazing and relaxing. I had fun and really enjoyed my birthday. I also made some awesome decisions that I can’t wait to follow through with!

I know a lot of people think thirty is the beginning of the end, but not me. I say bring it on! Let the year begin!

  30, here I come! #birthdaygirl #birthdayweekend #30thbirthday #disabledadult #miraclechild #anotheryear #survivor #30yearsold #authorlife #bloggerlife #adultlife #celebration #celebrate #disabledwriter #disabled @disabledwriters Today is my 30th birthday! I'm dirty, flirty and 30! To say that this birthday is a big one is an understatement.

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Coffee and Chit-Chat: It's All Chaos

Grab your coffee and we'll chat! #bloggerlife #authorlife #coffee #catchup #life #dayjob #whatsgoingon #update

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first Coffee and Chit-Chat! I have to thank Perpetual Page Turnerfor the inspiration for this! She does a whole “if we were having coffee” series where she catches you up to everything that’s going on in her life. Basically, this is the same type of deal. There’s so much that goes on day to day, so many thoughts and ideas and situations and I want to make sure I tell…

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Dear Frankie,

The past couple of weeks, Andrew and I have been cleaning up the house after the holidays. We put away the tree, the stockings, and finally, Andrew went on a ladder to take off the lights in the house.

As we were doing that, I couldn’t help but to imagine what it’s going to be like when you finally come to us. Truth be told, we are “those” types of dog owners..eeach dog has its own stocking and up until this year, had its own ornament. This year we put them both on the same ornament.

This is my baby Femi

This is my baby Tootsie

But think about it, if we’re already going overboard for our dogs, can you imagine what we’re going to do for you? Oh Goodness, can you imagine the pictures with Santa and the Christmas stockings? I already plan on getting you and ornament every year, maybe two if one is those “year” ornaments…you know “one year old, two years old”…that kind of thing.

And we wouldn’t be the only ones spoiling you; you have a whole slew of family members who will be ready and waiting to get your toys and clothes and more toys. You aren’t going to know what hit you.

Honestly, I can’t wait to see you try and open presents, or cry when you first see Santa (from what I hear, almost all babies cry when they first meet Santa). You’re going to have all these milestones and I’m going to be able to be there with you for them. It will be a dream come true.

I can’t wait to experience the excitement on Christmas day…you running into our room way too early, begging to open presents and see what Santa got you. I would have to do what my mom used to do and make you hang out in your room for a little while I go set up the coffee and get the video camera out. (Well, I guess now the video camera would be my phone…) I would make you wait until you felt like you couldn’t wait any longer and then that would be it! You would be racing down the stairs to get to the tree. ANd the unwrapping would commence.

It would be crazy, paper flying everywhere, laughter…all that fun stuff. And I would be sitting behind you, drinking my coffee and watching you.

That would make me the happiest person alive.

Love your (future) Mom

Dear Frankie...Holiday Decorating #dearfrankie #adoption #adoptivechild #disabledadult #adopting #mylittlefamily #disability #bloggerlife #authorlife #author #disabledblogger #disabledauthor @blogginggals @disabledwriters Dear Frankie, The past couple of weeks, Andrew and I have been cleaning up the house after the holidays.

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A couple of weeks ago, I had a dream and in my dream, I made popovers. I didn’t even know I even knew what popovers were but in my dream I made them and they were delicious. I woke up and I wanted to make Popovers. In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about them…they were invading my thoughts.

So, as usual, I went on Pintrest and found the easiest recipe I could find for Popovers. And one that used a muffin tin versus a Popover tin. I sent my hubby out to get a muffin tin (side note, how could I not have a muffin tin?! It’s, like, a staple for a kitchen!) while i grabbed the rest of the ingredients.

I followed a recipe from Cooking Tip of the Day

There were literally three steps, I figured I couldn’t mess it up. I used a jumbo muffin tin as instructed, but I could only fill up four out of the six holes. The instructions said to fill it 3/4 of the way and I think I did…or at least I tried. I’m not good with visual measuring.

I put it in the oven and POOF, 25 minutes later I had four HUGE popovers! and when i say huge, I mean it! Check out the photo:

They were good, real good. The only difference I would do would be to decrease one egg. The Popover tasted a little too eggy, almost like an omlet that was cooked. I thought it was going taste more…airy like. Like a pastry.

I would also make a little more flavorful. There are recipes that have you add cheese or some kind of flavor and I definitely want to try that. It’s good on its own, though.

The hubby said he liked them, but to be honest I don’t think he tried it. I don’t care, though…at least he tried to make me happy!

I’m not sure if I would use he muffin tin again, or if I would go ahead and buy a Popover tin. I feel like this would be a great, quick snack to make for when people come over to visit.

I can’t wait to try it again and see what I can add to them!

What are some recipes do you like? I would love some idea for new things to try!

Pop it! My experience making Popovers! #recipe #recipes #cooking #cook #bloggerlife #authorlife #marriedlife #desert #snack #easyrecipe A couple of weeks ago, I had a dream and in my dream, I made popovers. I didn't even know I even 

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RISE

It's time to RISE #2018word #rise #determination #authorlife #bloggerlife #icandoit #doit #writing #blogging #getshitdone #FEAR #faceeverythingandrise #motivation #motivate @disabledwriters

While I was carousing around on blogs, I started reading a lot of blogs about picking a word to go by for the year. So there weren’t real resolutions, just a promise to try to live a life based on one single word you chose.

It seemed like a very interesting concept…and something that I could get on board with.

I chose RISE. It came from my favorite quote:

F-E-A-R has two meanings:

Forget…

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2018, the year of "Eh, we'll see what happens"

2018: Eh, we'll see what happens #blogger #blogging #bloggerlife #author #authorlife #life

Happy 2018!

Recently, my boss at my day job revealed that she got another position and would be leaving within a month. Before that, though, she promised to help me, and my associate with our new positions as Human Resources Specialists. She said she would help see us through the hard parts and basically be our sounding board as we take the next step in our careers.

When she told us that she was…

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2018: Stop Chasing and Start Living

2018: Stop Chasing & Start Living #life #blogger #disabledadult #living #anjoyinglife #author

So, last week I applied for a promotion at my job; I wasn’t sure I wanted it but I knew that I would never actually get it if I didn’t apply for it. Then, last Monday there were interviews, which I completely forgot about. I got so involved in Christmas stuff and baking that I forgot I was supposed to prepare for the interview.

I went in there, nervous as all hell, and proceeded to have my…

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Baking and Playing

Baking and Playing #adoption #family #bloggerlife #authorlife #familylife #familytradition

Dear Frankie,

Today I spent a couple of hours baking Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies for Andrew. As I mixed ingredients, and made a mess, I wondered what it would be like if it wasn’t just for Andrew that I was baking.

When I was growing up, my mother always baked for us; usually she would make zeppoles (her specialty) but there were times where she made cookies and cupcakes for us. This was…

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Hooked On You

Hooked On You #crochet #crochetbusiness #creative #projects #products #crocheting #blogger

I started crocheting when I was thirteen years old. I was in Fashion class in eighth grade, and we were working on our final products – I had a choice between sewing something out of my own imagination, or crocheting. Back then, I completely sucked at sewing…seriously, I just couldn’t do it. I literally could not sew a straight line. Thus, I chose the most obvious choice and decided to crochet…

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Hello December!

Hello December! I'm Ready for It! #author #blogger #crochetbusiness #bookreview #goals #life

I was going to do a vlog tonight…I was going to say hi and “officially” introduced myself. But then I got home from work late, totally forgetting about the vlog, and got into my pajamas. My make up is off and my hair is up in a messy ponytail.

Doesn’t matter, though, because I’m posting no matter what.

Guys, it’s December! DECEMBER! Can you believe it? It’s like November didn’t even happen! Like…

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This is Us - This is ME

This is Us - This is ME #life #disabledadult #family #myreality #tvshow @disabledwriters

I have become pretty invested in the show, This is Us. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s about a family that’s made up of twins and an adopted brother who is also the same age, making some type of triplet scenario. The show goes back and forth form the present, following each of the children’s lives, to the past where you can see the parents and the kids growing up.

Once you get past the first few…

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How listening to "advice" made me quit writing

How Listening to Advice made me quit writing #author #authorlife #blogger #bloggerlife #write

Back in 2010, I published my first novel. It was a novel that I wrote for NaNoWriMo that previous year. My sister edited it, I made the cover based on the template through createspace, and I published it.

People liked it, they bought the book and read it…I didn’t have many reviews, but there were enough. So then I wrote the sequel, and another stand alone novel in the following years. By 2014 I…

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You are Perfect

You Are Perfect #adoption #adopting #family #futurefamily #disabledadult #mom #son #daughter

Dear Frankie

One of the first questions I’m asked, when I tell people that I’m adopting, is “what kind of baby do you want?” And I immediately respond “whatever comes out”

I know that this sounds like a very flippant answer, especially since this is my child I’m talking about, my family.

But, to be honest, it’s the truth. I don’t carewhat type of child I get. Black, Asian, Hispanic, White, Boy,…

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How Harriet the Spy taught me to be a great writer

How Harriet the Spy taught me to be a great writer

Harriet the Spy

Who doesn’t remember the spunky little sixth grader who went around watching her neighbors and friends and writing all about it?

I loved that movie as a kid, and I would watch it whenever it was on television. I started writing in my own notebook, trying to be just like her.

Recently, I found out that Harried the Spy was on Hulu and, of course, I had to watch it. As I watched it,…

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