One of my friends emailed me a couple of weeks ago asking what would be my top 25 things that make me smile. Since she asked, I have found myself thinking about it quite often. I am here to say, it is not a bad thing to have to think about the things that make you happy; especially during some difficult, busy, flare-up weeks.

(Thank you, friend. You know who you are).

1. Hugs. Not weak hugs, but those really great, meaningful hugs.

2. Breakfast for dinner.

3. Music. All kinds. Especially live music.

Send tickets to sponsors.  Deposit sponsor checks.  Send ad reminders.  Constant Contact Email.  Update Foundation Website.  Link Blog to Foundation Site.  Pick up Panopolous Sponsorship on Tuesday.  Follow up on other sponsorships.  Schedule Kellogg Meeting to plan/order food & room design.  Design t-shirts and order. 

I believe in working towards goals rather than making resolutions.  So here it goes…My top 50 goals for 2013:

1.  Make Life as a Zebra Foundation a 501 3c.
2. Raise more than $12,500 at our Invisible Illness Benefit on April 13, 2013 for Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation, National Dysautonomia Research Foundation, and Vasculitis Foundation.
3. Obtain sponsorship for the benefit.

Let’s face it.  It’s hard to feel attractive in your own skin when you feel like your body is turning on you. 

Topic: Write about your advice for someone caring for a patient with your condition

Caretakers in my opinion are unsung heroes.  Often it is the person who is sick that receives the caring phone calls, messages, care packages, etc.

My caretakers are the ones who have been behind the scenes, making phone calls for me, sitting with me during doctor’s appointments, driving me around the Midwest to see specialists, being there when I fall apart, making meals, bathing me, encouraging me, picking up prescriptions, supporting me, taking on more household duties, pushing my wheelchair, being my cheerleader, and the list goes on, and on, and on…