Author: Jessica Grono

Advent is Sunday! I like the season of Advent because we are preparing our hearts and home for the Christmas season. Advent is a season that lasts four weeks. Each Sunday, we start a new week of Advent until Christmas Day. Even though December is a busy month, Advent is a time to prepare. Prepare for what? The birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Without Jesus, the world would be bleak. No love for our neighbor, no forgiveness, no kindness, and little to no compassion. We now know love because Mary said yes to God to bring Jesus into the…

Gratitude is essential. Too many people aren’t thankful and see the negativity in everything. Each day is a gift and an opportunity. I have lived in dire and abusive situations. I’m embarrassed about what I lived with and for allowing it to happen. However, life is a bit brighter when you see each day as a gift. Yes, I’m not happy about plenty of things this year. Some I can’t believe happened. But I can’t stay in that space because I’ll be sad. So, I choose gratitude. So many things are to be thankful for, and we need to realize…

Colder air arrived in many parts of the world. Are you ready? Some like warm weather with shorts and tank tops, while others prefer cold temperatures. I don’t mind being cozy with sweatshirts, but I like warmer weather if I don’t have to wear a jacket. Regardless of what we prefer, what does your closet look like for the winter? Did you pull out your winter gear yet? People with cerebral palsy often do not like the cold because the cold makes our muscles stiff. So I created a list of clothing and winter gear that I prefer. You’ll agree…

Being a mother to a son is rewarding and exceptional. I’ve been a mom of a son for nine years. Motherhood has been crazy, funny, and loving. Not to say that it’s always been easy because it hasn’t. However, it’s the best position. Having cerebral palsy means that I can’t do all the physical aspects that a son can need. So guilt is only natural, even if you can’t help it. So whenever I have feelings of guilt, I try to turn them back into positive ones. If you can’t play baseball, it’s okay. You can sign your son up…

Do you remember in January when we were full of hope and goals? Currently, you might be looking back at the past year with disappointment. Perhaps you needed to obtain all the goals that you intended. Now the year is almost complete, and you wish you had accomplished more. Please don’t worry! There are plenty of positive goals that you can obtain by January. I know it’s never too late to start or finish a dream—one day at a time and one goal at a time. But, sometimes, you can feel overwhelmed if you look at the big picture. Everyone…

Thanksgiving is a week away. How are you feeling? Are you excited, nervous, or just tired? No matter how you’re feeling, here is a Thanksgiving checklist. Read it over, regardless if you’re the host or guest. 1. Buy your turkey. Pay attention to how many guests are coming to dinner. I understand that it’s one pound per person. The amount of turkey probably depends on how much your guests eat. 2. If you have the turkey, ensure that you give it adequate time to defrost. Defrosting a turkey takes several days, so check that turkey. 3. Declutter the house now.…

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. A magical and spiritual time of year is also stressful financially. Budgeting begins in January, and we will get that shortly. However, there are tricks to do now to help your money issues. Several stores have Black Friday sales in November. Keep your eye out for these stores. Also, social media has several pages with deals. They’re legitimate because I use them. In addition to social media, try Brad’s Deals and Deal News sites. They are both up-to-date and have excellent deals. Please remember that Christmas doesn’t mean going into debt. Christmas…

Pumpkin pie. Nothing speaks Thanksgiving more than pumpkin pie. I remember anticipating the taste of pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving sitting at my Mom-Mom’s dining room table. The fantastic sweet bite after a savory meal was worth every year’s wait. Pumpkin pie is my favorite pie to eat during the fall. What is your favorite? Even if cooking is out of your physical ability, I bet if you find a recipe, you can direct someone to bake. I loved Thanksgiving as a child. My grandmother was an excellent cook. Her house smelled like a delicious warm home that you never wanted…

Back in my high school days, I ignored the school marching band. I knew it existed, but I didn’t give it much thought. Now I regret it because I realize how much work it takes. I am a band parent. At the end of eighth grade, Laura received several emails to try out for the high school marching band color guard Undecided – we discussed it many times. I remember asking her if she has nothing to lose by attending the information meeting. Laura nervously went to the high school to the forum. To my surprise, Laura came home with…

Shopping is fun to do for yourself, but especially for other people. Christmas is approaching, so I want to share my favorite things. Specifically, this list is items that worked for me, having a disability. I hope it’ll help someone you know or yourself if you have a disability as well. IPads, iPhones, soft blankets and anything that makes life easier is always welcome!