Let Me Tell You About Jacob

I'm on a mission.  I want to help my lovely high school friend, Nicole and her little boy, Jacob get a service dog.

You see, Jacob is a sweet, cuddly little boy who is almost three year old.  He just happens to be autistic.  You can read his full story on Nicole's blog HERE.  Recently, Jacob was evaluated and it was determined that he'd be an ideal candidate for a service dog.  As an advocate for dogs, and having grown up with them my entire life - I know the joy and stability that a dog can bring to a child's life.  And that's just a "pet"!  A service dog for Jacob could change his life.

Here is a blurb from Nicole and Jacob's First Giving Page:
We are raising money for 4 Paws for Ability to help them give Jacob and children like him service dogs to expand their quality of life. Jacob was born in June 2010 and was diagnosed in 2012 with suspected autism, his formal diagnoses coming in 2013: Autism Spectrum Disorder ("classic" autism), Sensory Processing Dysfunction and Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder. He is a bright, funny, sweet, physically gregarious and overwhelmingly curious little boy who could sincerely use the help of a service dog to enhance his ability to interact with the world at large in a safe manner and ease the strains that come with autism. He is considered non-verbal right now and has a hard time following instructions or commands, including responding to his own name, especially in unfamiliar locations and easily can find himself in danger without strict, stressful vigilance by any and all adults attending to him.

Now that Jacob has been approved for a service dog - the challenge to raise funds for the dog begins.  The recipient family of each service dog through 4 Paws For Ability must raise $13,000 of the $22,000 it costs to raise and train the dog. 

I'm proud to say that Nicole has raised a bit over $3,000 - but there's a long way to go!  If any of my favorite dog moms are going to be buying new toys for their herd soon, I might suggest checking out Schnoodleware Dog Toys and using the code: 4Jacob10 at checkout.  They'll be donating10% of purchases using that code to Jacob's service dog fund!

Just look at this handsome little guy!

(Picture stolen from Nicole's blog)

Happy Mother's Day

I'm wishing all my human moms, fur mom's, aunts that act as surrogate moms and grandmas a VERY Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you all get spoiled by your respective kids.  :-)

People Watchng...

I love people watching.  Just observing how people interact with each other, and what they'll do when they think others aren't watching is just fascinating to me.  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

On my way home from work, I pulled up at a red light.  In the lane next to me was a little SmartCar.  It just struck me funny.  I drive a HUGE SUV, and next to me is a car that looks snacksized.  Once I stopped laughing - I really took a look at the SmartCar.  Not only is it tiny...but the owner decked it out in tinted window, lightening bolts and was blaring OPERA!  Sorry, buddy.  Your attempt at being cool kinda failed.

About a week ago, experienced a guy in a store that had a pacifier in his mouth...but no baby.  I happened to share this quirky little happening with a friend of mine that's a nurse.  She told me that adult pacifiers are an actual thing! Of course, I had to check it out....and she's right! Who knew?!?!  If you don't believe me, click HERE! (don't worry - I'm only sending you over to Amazon for the product details on an adult pacifier)

Have you seen anything interesting lately?

Favorite Quotes

I've seen a few people share their favorite quotes and thought I'd play along.

As a mom to four dogs, dog rescuer and all around "dog person", I couldn't agree with this quote more.  There is such trust, joy and unconditional love that dogs give you - that you don't get ANYWHERE else.

 

This is one of my favorite quotes and could be my favorite movie quotes ever.  There's such truth and openness to this; giving it such a good perspective on "every day" love instead of the romantic love that so many instantly think of when they're asked if they love others in their life.

The key to my heart is laughter.  If you can have an argument with me and still make me laugh afterwards - you win!

What are your favorite quotes?

I Work In An Office Where....

My office is far from normal.  And I mean that in the BEST possible way!  After all, where else could you work in an office where:

• Flip-flops, tubetops and just about anything else are fine to wear on a daily basis.
• We occasionally indulge in an alcoholic drink "on the clock". 
• You laughingly tell others to "watch the goose poop" if they're eating outside...and mean it!
• National Pie Day, Derby Day, and many others are not only acknowledged, but CELEBRATED with treats.
• Arts and crafts time is a reality.
• We tease, yell at, and laugh with everyone more like a (highly dysfunctional) family than co-workers. :-)

Anyone else have a unique office environment?  Stay tuned for pictures of my hat from office Derby Day!  Oh, and cross your fingers that Normandy Invasion wins the Kentucky Derby!  That's who I pulled in the office pool.

May Blogging Challenge

I've mentioned this before, and I know I'm not alone - once you get out of the habit of blogging, finding your rhythm again is HARD! 

But I'm committed to blogging.  After all, some of my very best friends live in the computer.  :-)

When I saw April's blogging challenge for the month of May - I knew I had to jump in and play along.  I hope to get my bloggy mojo back, and make a few new friends along the way!

And...The Winners Are:

Um...so life got a little busy and and I totally forgot to post who my two winners are.  Sorry about that! 

On the bright side - there are two winners instead of the one I mentioned when starting the giveaway.  :-)

And, the winners are:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll pack up your prizes over the weekend and mail them out on Monday, Karen and Ashley!  Just shoot me an email (allthelittlestuff@gmail.com) to confirm your shipping address.