New Feature: Disabilities In The Media

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vdbMLxrfqsJrY5czYL9b6G8LBZfU6ec3UDdlJj_eHHYRNAaE2tFoVagZ2uSkv-cujWXQiXAjxBHlzQegGM9x8SOw3VvkMl2CLSjfl7FgRmZoxUZA8T1HoRqPfmCqASrqKUIfwkPsOMM/s1600/handicapped.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734635934268452786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vdbMLxrfqsJrY5czYL9b6G8LBZfU6ec3UDdlJj_eHHYRNAaE2tFoVagZ2uSkv-cujWXQiXAjxBHlzQegGM9x8SOw3VvkMl2CLSjfl7FgRmZoxUZA8T1HoRqPfmCqASrqKUIfwkPsOMM/s400/handicapped.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" /></a>I always get so inspired when I see positive news stories about people with disabilities -- the kind that highlight the person more than the disability. It makes me feel like, little by little, those walls of stereotypes and misconceptions are being torn down. After all, remember the amazing <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/10/people-with-disabilities-in-media.html">Mariah Slick</a>? So, I'm so excited to introduce a new feature today, friends: Disabilities In The Media. I'll be sharing stories of movers and shakers who are making headlines, not for their disabilities, but in spite of them. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrAzFYkOHl_yHQ63hpqE3dqgWPskWmzrgqP-WJk7GRTGsQgw-phqImM1B_EHeSDtKt6HuG_rJyP9hFxag-1eitERCiiDtQUsD7I3yzMILmLMzXg3CY8XfqxpM2n1Hj6P6KDdGmH0k0l8/s1600/annie-clark-440.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734377898801710530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrAzFYkOHl_yHQ63hpqE3dqgWPskWmzrgqP-WJk7GRTGsQgw-phqImM1B_EHeSDtKt6HuG_rJyP9hFxag-1eitERCiiDtQUsD7I3yzMILmLMzXg3CY8XfqxpM2n1Hj6P6KDdGmH0k0l8/s400/annie-clark-440.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>First up: Meet <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20589127,00.html">Annie Clark</a>. The seven-year-old recently took home the Nicholas Maxim Award for her exceptional handwriting. This was the first time that educational publisher Zaner-Bloser Inc. offered the award to students with disabilities. As she was cheered on by her fellow students, Annie accepted the award on her school's basketball court. <br /><br />"Annie has always been very, very determined, very self-sufficient in dressing herself and feeding herself," says her dad, Tom. "She can ride a bike. She swims. She is just determined that there's nothing she can't do."<br /><br /><strong>You go, Annie! Have you read any stories about people with disabilities lately, friends? I'd love to feature them, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), send me a <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/melissablake">Tweet</a> or post on So About What I Said's <a href="http://facebook.com/soaboutwhatisaid">Facebook page</a>! xoxo </strong>

New Feature: Disabilities In The Media

I always get so inspired when I see positive news stories about people with disabilities -- the kind that highlight the person more than the...

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Man Candy Monday.

Happy Monday, friends! How did you celebrate Earth Day yesterday? Anything exciting? Today's choice just easily fell into place. Maybe even fate or destiny had something to do with it. It's really no secret that I've been moved by this guy's <a href="http://www.nicholassparks.com/">romantic and enchanting work</a> for as long as I can remember. And who can blame me? He seems like the ultimate family man. He's sensitive. And as you know, friends, any man who isn't afraid to use that sexy brain of his is aces in my book...<br /><br />NICHOLAS SPARKS!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771631_043f_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771631_043f_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 595px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQgDODLFf7WveUqce3xg9fqqBxyhAzSanOSMHNNVdvp6nw4l_moZDJaBDY9FYtWoF_C6n7uoH8CYY5-WMpSUbWGcGKamPnznZWNZCFM2QVhVcIc8g6LA_SBck4OH8t7ODS4HeN1kvcR8/s1600/aa3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734325821314140722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQgDODLFf7WveUqce3xg9fqqBxyhAzSanOSMHNNVdvp6nw4l_moZDJaBDY9FYtWoF_C6n7uoH8CYY5-WMpSUbWGcGKamPnznZWNZCFM2QVhVcIc8g6LA_SBck4OH8t7ODS4HeN1kvcR8/s400/aa3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771780_62fe_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771780_62fe_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 512px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhQZsHtpyxvk_tY52nSi0xqqcuMDm7wMEEH8oPF57gUszGwBl7793xk71QfYnmK-WOQ_-ihAN7lZao9WltRgF44_YFGYspwzfNTiU2eivWUBWjRoDHwwZwKR5kwpNLYY7sBQ5WLKLJZw/s1600/aa5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734325817102250754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhQZsHtpyxvk_tY52nSi0xqqcuMDm7wMEEH8oPF57gUszGwBl7793xk71QfYnmK-WOQ_-ihAN7lZao9WltRgF44_YFGYspwzfNTiU2eivWUBWjRoDHwwZwKR5kwpNLYY7sBQ5WLKLJZw/s400/aa5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 391px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771991_9da9_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13771500/13771991_9da9_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 500px;" /></a><em>"All characters come from people I know, but after the initial inspiration, I tend to modify the characters so they fit with the story." </em>

Man Candy Monday.

Happy Monday, friends! How did you celebrate Earth Day yesterday? Anything exciting? Today's choice just easily fell into place. Maybe e...

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Have a cool weekend

<div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13735000/13735425_8dfd_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13735000/13735425_8dfd_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 595px;" /></a>Happy Friday, friends! I hope you enjoy all the <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/baby%20week">baby talk</a> this week -- I love doing theme weeks every now and then, so please email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/melissablake">Tweet me</a> or leave a comment on So About What I Said's <a href="http://facebook.com/soaboutwhatisaid">Facebook page</a> if you've got ideas for future themes. <br /><br />So, do you have anything exciting planned this weekend? We're getting together with some family friends tomorrow, and then on Sunday, I'm going to see my mom sing in our church's choir. I always feel like one of those proud parents when I see her up there singing -- isn't it funny how the parent/child roles are reversed sometimes?<br /><br />I hope you all have a relaxing weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...<br /><br />I love these <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/12/frasier-tossed-salad-and-scrambled-eggs_n_1422023.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D151957">10 bizarre TV theme songs</a> (<em><a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2008/11/man-candy-monday.html">Frasier</a>, anyone...</em>).<br /><br />Beautiful <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2012/04/13/decor-ideas-breakfast-nook_n_1422151.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003">breakfast nooks</a>.<br /><br />Here are the <a href="http://www.parade.com/towns">10 hardest-working towns</a> in America, according to PARADE.<br /><br />First, there was the <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-fling-peek-boo-umbrella.html">peek-a-boo umbrella</a>. Now, there's the <a href="http://www.likecool.com/Handsfree_umbrella--Pic--Gear.html">hands-free umbrella</a>!<br /><br />Do you have these <a href="http://living.msn.com/love-relationships/wedding-obsessions-blog-post?post=7629088a-58af-47eb-972c-d47d1ef80b57#scptmg">types of photos</a> in your wedding album?<br /><br />Wow, a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-barry-kaufman/can-genius-be-detected-in-infancy_b_1425423.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008">four-year-old genius</a>!<br /><br />Hey, '90s children: Remember <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/20-awesome-lisa-frank-items-you-wish-you-owned">Lisa Frank</a>?<br /><br />How adorable are <a href="http://www.amerrymishapblog.com/2012/04/littlephant.html">these cups</a>?<br /><br />A pretty <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/43982522/prism-a-rainbow-of-precious-gems">rainbow ring</a>.<br /><br />The first-ever <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2012/04/18/ikea-superfans-coordinate-firstever-wedding-in-an-ikea.php">IKEA wedding</a>!<br /><br />I'm loving Rachel's <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LovelyClusters/~3/XgQ8aAg1vnA/spring-summer-2012-catalog-200.html">spring/summer catalog</a>, aren't you?<br /><br />Gorgeous <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2012/04/19/15-gorgeous-hand-painted-walls/">hand-painted walls</a>.<br /><br />Lisa makes such wonderful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisaroy?ref=em">handbags</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://frenchbydesign.blogspot.com/2012/03/smile-its-wednesday.html">evolution</a> of rock concerts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/ivanr4/great-logos-with-a-secret-meaning-1uq3">Logos</a> with a secret meaning.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-04-19/be-my-boyfriend-finance-dude-who-tracks-his-match-com-dates-on-a-spreadsheet/">This guy</a> kept a detailed spreadsheet of all the women he dated. Thoughts?<br /><br />What do you <a href="http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-04-19/13-silly-things-girls-worry-about-on-a-first-date/">worry about</a> on a first date?<br /><br />It's official: I'm such a sucker for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mybeardedpigeon?ref=top_trail">pillows</a>.<br /><br />Yay or nay: Jon Hamm <a href="http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/love-it-or-hate-it-jon-hamm-super-scruffy-beard.html">with a beard</a>?<br /><br />Dick Clark's <a href="http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/04/dick-clarks-first-top-10">first-ever top 10</a> from 1963. Thanks for the rockin' memories!<br /><br /><em><strong>**Don't forget to enter the <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/04/shopbop-100-gift-card-giveaway.html">Shopbop giveaway</a> for your chance to win a $100 shopping spree!**</strong></em><br /><br />[Photo via <a href="http://witanddelight.tumblr.com/post/20963291483/thatkindofwoman-let-me-love-you">wit + delight</a>]

Have a cool weekend

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you enjoy all the baby talk this week -- I love doing theme weeks every now and then, so please email me (me...

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