Be Patient As You Form New Wings

Posted by Barbara Techel

Be patient. Life can seem pretty gray while those beautiful wings of yours are being formed. All in due time, dear one. All in due time. –Cheryl Richardson, author and life coach

I just had to share this photo and quote from Cheryl Richardson  when I saw it on her Facebook page today. It really spoke to me as I’m going through a new transition from having written children’s books to now my adult nonfiction (memoir) book.  It’s a whole new way in which to grow and I’ve felt uncertain and scared at times… but this quote reminds me that all good things and evolving happen in time.  I’ll share more in my newsletter coming out on May 2nd.  If you are not subscribed to my newsletter, you can do so by entereing your email address in the box on the left hand side of this page-under my photo.

Be Creatively You Design Contest Winners Announced!

Posted by Barbara Techel

We are so excited to announce the winner of our “Be Creatively You” Design Contest!  Haley of Immanuel Lutheran School takes 1st place! Cassy Tully of Cassy Tully-Fine Art and I sponsored a design contest for  third grade students at our local schools in Sheboygan county.  They were provided a Frankie template and encouraged to design an outfit for her.

We had a hard time deciding as so many of the entries were so creative and fun!  What we loved about Haley’s entry as well as all her classmates were how they went above and beyond with embellishments and design.  We loved the added touch of the bow on Frankie, as well as all the details to her vest and background.  Great job Haley!

We also picked 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Congratulations to 2nd place winner, Hannah of Wilson Elementary!

We loved all the sparkles and pink of this design and so neatly colored.

Congratulations to 3rd place winner Brooke of Cooper Elementary!

Frankie as a hula girl really made us smile!

Some of the many entries we received.

Cassy and I posing with some of the entries.  We truly loved looking through all the entries and thank each and every school and student who participated!!

 

 

Who Cares What Others Think- Strollers for Paralyzed Pooches

Posted by Barbara Techel

Today on Facebook someone who has a paralyzed pooch was looking for advice on where to get a stroller for her dog.  Her dog was no longer enjoying his daily walks in his wheelchair, dragging his foot and causing it to bleed.

Years ago before Frankie was in a wheelchair she would walk over 2.5 miles a day with me. Those little legs sure got a workout!  After she ended up in her wheelchair six years ago she y would only go walking for about a mile. About two years ago she decided walks were no longer her “thing” so I invested in a dog stroller for her.  As far as I know from what I’ve seen, I’m the only one in our little town of 1,100 who walks their dog in a stroller. I’ve gotten a few strange looks from time to time. Though many times we get lots of smiles, giggles, and “awwwwww’s.”

I’ll admit I felt a little silly at first walking my dog in a stroller. I even worried what others would think of me. But then I remembered this was how I felt when I had to have Frankie fitted for her wheelchair and take her out in public for the first time. The great lesson I learned is that I know Frankie is happy whether in her stroller, her wheelchair, or riding in the basket on my bicycle… it’s all that matters…and who cares what others think?  If I would have dwelled on what others thought, look at all the fun I would have missed out on?  And all the moments of sweet joy with little Frankie.

If you are looking for a dog stroller, I personally love the Jeep stroller since it does not look too baby-ish.  I kinda like to think this is Frankie’s Jeep Cherokee and it is rather sporty.  V-rooom! Walking Frankie in her stroller is one of my simple pleasures and often I come up things I want to write about as I’m out walking with her.  Good for the mind, body and spirit!