Packing away Christmas Decorations–in April???

Yes, it’s April and I’m boxing up my Christmas decorations and tucking them away in my storage shed. Have you ever heard that before? No, it’s not because I wanted Christmas to last forever.

It’s because the weekend in January when I was going to do it I fell on the ice and broke my arm. Not just my arm, but my right arm. I’m right handed. And not just a simple break. I sheared the bones in two.

For the last couple months I was unable to do anything with my right hand or arm. My life stopped while I cradled my broken arm next to my body to protect what was left of it and waited for surgery.

A couple weeks later, in February, my doctor helped me become a bionic woman with a titanium plate and screws to put everything back together. When asked what color of cast I wanted (I’d already used up my favorite colors on the splints I’d had). I jokingly said, “Glow-in-the-dark.” Guess what? I got it–and it did GLOW when I turned the lights out.

To my shock, I discovered that, throughout my whole life, my left hand had hung uselessly by my side. I laughed my way through the last couple months as I trained my left hand to put the toothbrush in my mouth and brush my teeth. Have you ever tried tying shoes with one hand? Opening a jar? Or writing cursive with your off-hand? I couldn’t even jot a note to myself. Or how about opening an envelope?  I felt vulnerable when in public and helpless at home.

Gradually my left hand and arm became productive. Now, I’m nearly ambidextrous.

It was a wild ride, living with one useful arm until just a couple weeks ago. I’m still under weight restrictions, so this is the first weekend since Christmas that I’ve been able to lift lightweight boxes. Thus the box of Christmas decorations is still sitting on the living room floor.

Through it all I’ve discovered that I have amazing friends and that I live in a community filled with kind and helpful strangers. And my heart is filled with a deeper compassion for those who struggle with physical restrictions.

There’s something that you can do too. I’d like to encourage you to do a simple experiment. Take your dominate hand and put it in your pocket for an hour–and do not use it–no matter what–not for anything.

Afterwards, reflect on how would your life be different if you only had one arm. Life can change in a split-second, in ways that we don’t like.

Then, I’d like you to apply what you learned to help someone else. Out of consideration, first ask if they’d like you to help and how. It might be as simple as opening a door, or retrieving a can of soup off the top shelf in the grocery store, a shelf they can’t reach.

I firmly believe that together we can make the world a better place by being kind to those around us.

It’s time to go get that box of Christmas decorations out of the living room and put it away–after all, it is April and I can use two hands and arms. Wahoo! Thank You, Jesus!

 

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 10

Don’t Miss Out!

Today is the Last Chance to Win!
10 Days ~~ 10 Free Books

The question for Day 10 is: What is the name of my all-time dream horse?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 10

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 9

Don’t Miss Out!
10 Days ~~ 10 Free Books

The question for Day 9 is: What is it called when you make a pack that goes on a mule by wrapping your gear & duffel in a canvas tarp? (You _____ the load. The rope that’s used is called the same thing, a ______ rope.)

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 9

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 8

Don’t Miss Out! 10 Days ~ 10 Free Books

The question for Day 8 is: What did I give the mule that made its teeth stick together (be specific)?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 8

 

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 7

Don’t Miss Out! 10 Days ~ 10 Free Books

The question for Day 7 is: The day I drove to Missoula, MT to buy knobs for my kitchen cupboards but…I came home with (be specific–the first and most specific wins)?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 7

 

 

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 6

Don’t Miss out! 10 Days~~10 Free Books

The question for Day 6 is: What is the name of the mule I talked to while she was still in the womb?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 6

 

 

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 5

Don’t Miss Out! 10 Days~10 Free Books

The question for Day 5 is: What name did I use for a horse and a dog?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)

You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).

Click on the link below:

Click Here to Answer Day 5

 

 

 

10 Days~10 Free Books-Day 3

Don’t Miss Out!
10 Days ~~ 10 Free Books

The question for Day 3 is: To whom is my book “Great Horse Stories” dedicated?

Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10Free Books” first).

You can find answers on my Website: http://www.RebeccaOndov.com, or you can find the answers in my books (Hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books then you can look inside.)

Click on the link below

Click Here to Submit Your Answer for Day 3

10 Days ~ 10 Free Books Day 1

The question for Day 1 is: What is the name of the mule who had a broken jaw that I bottle-fed?

Click the link below to enter your answer (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10Free Books” first.

Hint: you can find answers on my Website: http://www.RebeccaOndov.com, or you can find the answers in my books (you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books then you can look inside).

Click Here to Enter Your Answer

10 Days ~~ 10 Free Books!

Wahoo! Don’t miss out–on the 10 DAYS ~~ 10 FREE BOOKS

Starting today I’ll be giving away a free copy of my latest book Great Horse Stories for Girls–one a day for the next 10 days! I’ll be posting a question and the first person to post a correct answer will be the winner. I’ll personalize the book to the winner or to whom you’d like. They make great stocking stuffers for Christmas too!

Here’s how it works. On November 27th at 8:30 pm and every evening after that at 7:00 pm Mountain Time from November 28th – December 6th, 2015, I’ll post a question here on my blog. If you think you have the correct answer, follow the directions under the answer on how to enter (you’re only allowed to post one answer per day). I’ll notify the winner the following day by email.

People who enter must be 18 years of age or older and be a US citizen residing within the US (or be active military with an APO address).

I honor your privacy in that I do not sell or share my email lists, but you will be automatically added to my email newsletter.

Attention Winners: I will post your first name and your city and state on social media as the winner. I’ll look forward to hearing back from you within two days so I can mail you your free book. If I don’t, I’ll need chose another winner.

Only one winner per household for the 10 days.

Stay tuned each day—maybe the winner will be you!