When I am not spending time with my family or friends, I am writing. Since I cannot sit or stand for long periods of time, because of my spinal surgery in 2003, I have a laptop next to my side on the couch. I am on it all day long off and on. Not just to check emails, but to find new markets to write for.
I am a freelance writer for places such as Heartland Boating, River Hills Traveler, Yorkshire Terrier, Pontoon & Deck Boat, Action Pursuit, Missouri Life, Houseboat, ByLine, Aero Sports Connection and the Writer Magazines, the M.S. Newsletter and the Leader Newspaper Publication. I write the daily news for www.riverbills.com. I also write for several online publishers such as Story Circle, Quiet Mountain Essay, AKC Newsletter and Helium. I even had my first book published last year, "From the Heart of a Mother." It is composed of short stories and poems about motherhood and my battle with M.S.
I also enjoy boating every weekend with my husband and meeting up with our friends. I like to go on my husband's powered parachute and fly around with him. We take a lot of aerial photos. Photography is another one of my hobbies.
Even though I don't work outside of the home any more, I never get bored. I feel lucky to be alive, to still be walking and to be close to my family. I am also thankful there are medications to help me through the chronic pain that I have been in since my spinal surgery in 2003. I thank God every day for what I have.
Music
I absolutely love music. I like it all: 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. I like country, rock, classic rock, oldies, jazz and pop. My favorite music is probably the music that comes from my oldest son’s guitar and my youngest son’s mouth. They are awesome! My middle son is just like me, he likes to listen to music. His best friend is in a local band and he supports him every chance he gets.
My favorite memory of music is from several years ago. On my sixth Christmas, Santa brought me a little chord organ. I absolutely loved it! I sat for hours with my little book, learning every song I could. I played for my great grandma’s 70th birthday party. She was very proud of me. I was so happy.
On the summer after my 7th birthday, I lost my vision. It started in my right eye, but it eventually went to my left eye as well. I was in the hospital for over three weeks. During that time, the doctors poked me, pricked me and did every test they could think of including two spinal taps. I still remember those huge needles. Ouch! The only thing they could come up with was that I was totally blind and I would never see again. Since my optic nerve was so swollen and it was pushing on the brain, they weren’t even sure if I would live.
There were a few things that were enjoyable during my hospital stay. For one, there was the chapel. It was so quiet in there and even though I couldn’t see how beautiful it was, my parents or the nuns who took me there, would describe it to me. I loved it there. It was a getaway from all of the poking and pricking and also from the kids who were so mean to me in there. The other place I enjoyed was the playroom. My dad took me in there sometimes to cheer me up. One day, he sat me on the piano bench and asked me to play a song for him. He put my hands on the piano. To his surprise, I was able to play, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” “Happy Birthday,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” with no mistakes. Even though I couldn’t see, I could still feel and hear. My dad promised me that when I got better that he would buy me the biggest organ. I was so excited. It gave me something to look forward to.
One day, my parents took me out of the hospital for awhile. They took me to the park and then to see this Pastor. He laid hands on me and prayed for me. When he was done, I opened my eyes and I could see light. The doctors were amazed. From that time forward, my eyes got better and better. Within a year, they were back to normal – 20/20 vision. The doctors called me the “Miracle Girl.” I’ll never forget the day that a big truck backed up into our driveway and delivered a big three keyboard organ. I felt like I was in Heaven.
I remember playing for my dad when he’d get home from work. He would sit in his chair after a stressful day at work. After I played for awhile, it seemed that his body just melted into the chair. I played for my mom while she was cooking supper. It seemed like it would actually make her feel better. Sometimes, I even caught her dancing a little.
I thank God every day that I can see, I can hear and I can walk. Some days are not so good for me, but my good days are awesome!
Speaking of music, my youngest son is having his own event on October 11, 2008 for Multiple Sclerosis. He will have four bands playing at 2 Cents Plain in St. Louis, Missouri. These bands will donate their time to play. The tickets are $10.00 per person and he will sell t-shirts for $10.00 also. All of the proceeds from that night will go to benefit the National M.S. Society-Gateway Area Chapter. His event is called “Rock Out! For M.S.! Check it out at www.myspace.com/rockout4ms.
Movies
I am hooked on Lifetime movie network. It is about real women with real problems, who overcome them. The movies are about strong women who never give up. It is about women like me. However, if I had to pick my very favorite movie of all times it would be “Overboard” with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. I still love that movie.
Television
When our TV is on it is either on the Lifetime channel or the weather channel so my husband can check the weather. He checks the temperature, winds and density altitude to find out the next time he can go flying in his powered parachute. He has always dreamed of flying and now he does. I’m so happy for him.
Books
My favorite book is the Bible. I have gotten so much peace from reading it and found so much inspiration. I have several verses highlighted. And I still feel like some of the verses were written for me.
I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging, but I do like to read my book also, “From the Heart of a Mother.” I guess because it brings back memories since it is about my life. It makes me remember the little things that the boys used to do. It also makes me realize how much we have overcome. I am proud of it and love to share my experiences. Especially, if I feel that it may help someone else.
Heroes
I have many heroes. My dad was always my hero as a little girl. He was so strong and he was so loving. He was also fun and full of life. I had never seen a man with so many good qualities. As I got older, my dad was still a hero in my eyes, but I also realized I had more heroes in my life. My two brothers, who were once little pesty brats, were now grown and were my best friends. They were loving, easy to talk to and so much fun to be around. You know, I think they made me understand men more and become a better wife. They were full of advice, but only if I asked for it.
As my three sons grew up, they were like my little super heroes. I had created them and taught them. They were all raised in the same house, yet they turned out to be three different people. And that is the beauty of it. They found their own individuality and I loved them for who they became. They each excelled in different areas and I supported that.
When I got remarried, I was so determined to make this marriage more successful. Mike was 40 years old and had never been married. Most of his family and friends thought that he would never get married. I began wondering about that also after we dated for seven years. However, it all turned out great. He has tried as much as I have. I don’t think I know anyone who has a marriage like ours. We are both happy. He is definitely one of my heroes. He was my Prince Charming who I intend on living happily ever after with.
Boaters for Multiple Sclerosis's Details
Status:
Married
Here for:
Networking, Friends
Orientation:
Straight
Hometown:
Belleville, Illinois
Ethnicity:
White / Caucasian
Religion:
Protestant
Zodiac Sign:
Gemini
Children:
Proud parent
Education:
Some college
Occupation:
Freelance Writer
Boaters for Multiple Sclerosis is in your extended network view more
I am hosting my first event this year, "Boaters for Multiple Sclerosis." It will be held on September 27, 2008 at Palisades Yacht Club in Portage des Sioux, Missouri. It will last from 1:00 pm through 11:00 pm. There will be booth rentals, 50/50 ticket drawings, music, barbecue, games and contests. Brian Boyd the Magician will be performing his magic and comedy throughout the day, with a show at 2:00 and 4:00. Jessica Hicklin, a very talented face painter, will be another special guest. At 5:00 we will have a silent auction with items that are donated from several people and local businesses hosted by my niece, Jackie Stanczak. From 7:00 to 11:00, we will have a few local bands that are donating their time to play for us. It will be taken care of by my friend Robert Cope, who intends on having an "Open Mic." Feel free to bring your guitar and sing us a song. We have some really great items in our auction. Please read my new blog to see the people and places that donated and the items that will be up for bid. This event will be fun for the whole family, not to mention it is for a good cause. All of the proceeds from that day will go to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Gateway Area Chapter. Come on out and join us. We'd love to have you.
Who I'd like to meet: I'd really love to meet other people with M.S. I have battled it for almost 20 years now. I have had my ups and downs for sure, but luckily more ups than downs. Two years after my diagnosis, my ex-husband left me to raise our three sons alone, ages 7, 5 and 2. In between, working full time, taking my boys to their ballgames, band concerts and other school functions, I still had time to battle my illness. My boys gave me the strength I needed every day to keep going. They never let me give up. They gave me that push I needed to keep trying.
So much has changed in 20 years. I was diagnosed in 1989. My boys are all raised now and doing very well. My oldest son even has two little girls. Being a grandma is so special. My family just keeps getting bigger and better. I am also remarried to a wonderful man who took on all my baggage. In fact, he picked up my baggage and took me to a place I had never been before. You know, I really like it here in Paradise. That's where I've been since I met him.
I feel that I have some really great things in my life to make up for the bad things that has happened with my health. I have three sons who are also my very good friends now. I have two brothers who are two of my best friends. I have two beautiful grand-daughters who make me feel like a very young grandma. I have a great marriage to a man who makes me keep trying no matter what. I have two parents who care very much for me and have been very supportive of my health problems. I have THE sweetest little dog, "Angel," who lives up to her name. She has helped me tremendously. I also have some wonderful friends who have been there for me many times.
I would not only like to meet other people with M.S., but others who have Spina-Bifida (I have that also.) I would like to meet other mothers, other grandmas, other wives and anybody who could use a friend. I feel that you can never have enough friends.
I am hosting my first event this year, "Boaters for Multiple Sclerosis." It will be held on September 27, 2008 at Palisades Yacht Club in Portage des Sioux, Missouri. It will last from 1:00 pm through 11:00 pm. There will be booth rentals, 50/50 ticket drawings, music, barbecue, games and contests. Brian Boyd the Magician will be performing his magic and comedy throughout the day, with a show at 2:00 and 4:00. Jessica Hicklin, a very talented face painter, will be another special guest. At 5:00 we will have a silent auction with items that are donated from several people and local businesses hosted by my niece, Jackie Stanczak. From 7:00 to 11:00, we will have a few local bands that are donating their time to play for us. It will be taken care of by my friend Robert Cope, who intends on having an "Open Mic." Feel free to bring your guitar and sing us a song. We have some really great items in our auction. Please read my new blog to see the people and places that donated and the items that will be up for bid. This event will be fun for the whole family, not to mention it is for a good cause. All of the proceeds from that day will go to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Gateway Area Chapter. Come on out and join us. We'd love to have you.
HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY ----ED
HAVE A GREAT DAY ,,,,,ED
HAVE A GREAT THANKSIVING DAY ,,,,,,,,YOUR FRIEND ED
,,,,,,,,,,GOOD MORNING 
GOOD MORNING ,,,ED
GOOD MORNING MY FRIEND ,,,,,,,,, ED
GOOD MORNING ,, AND THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND ,,ED
MY BRAIN ON A MIGRAIN HEAD ACHE,,,,,,,,,HAVE A GREAT HUMP DAY,,,,,,,ED
HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON
,,,,,,HAPPY HALLOWEEN,,,,,,,,ED
HAPPY HUMPDAY
