Meeting Butler County, Ohio

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I was invited to spend a long weekend in Butler County, Ohio, just after they became Wheel The World certified for accessibility. The tourism board wanted me to write about how wheelchair accessible the region is. I hadn’t been there before, and it sounded like an interesting area, so I made plans to go. My trip to Butler County turned out to be one of my most unusual adventures, with new experiences, and a lot of donuts!   I brought Teddy and my friend, Heather, along for the ride, about three and a half hours from home. We had a nice welcome basket waiting for us at the hotel. Our home base was the Marriott Cincinnati North in Westerville. I was happy at the start with a flat entrance and automatic doors. They didn’t have any accessible rooms, so we had two connecting rooms. Teddy loved going back and forth between the two rooms. Mine had plenty of space for me to wheel around, a well-equipped desk area I could reach, and a large bathroom with a shower chair. The handheld was...
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14 Things I Love Now That Would Make Great Gifts

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Tis the season when we are searching for the perfect gifts we will be remembered for giving. There are no guarantees, but I always like to get something a bit out of the ordinary. I’ve received a lot of items lately. Some have been given to me and others I have bought myself. They wouldn’t be on the list if I didn’t really like them.

The holiday gift ideas below are in no particular order, but I’ve linked to the best deal I found. (Maybe good enough to also pick up some for yourself.) I do receive a small commission on some of these.

 

1.        Lectrofan

Anyone who has a Yorkie knows that they can hear a fly a half mile away! I had the bedroom noise under control during the summer with a hepa filter fan. I replaced that with the (quiet) humidifier. After a few nights of Teddy waking up with every outside sound, I received the Lectrofan. It has many white noise and fan options. I set it to duplicate the sound of the fan we had. I’m sleeping better too. They have a micro version that also acts as a Bluetooth speaker.

 
2.        Harry’s Famous Sauce


I spent years perfecting my sauce and never use jarred, but I was intrigued by Harry’s Famous Sauce. Harry Hamlin had me at “Rosemary Red Wine.” I poured some over pasta and, while I enjoyed it, “cacciatore’ immediately came to mind—simple and delicious in the crockpot, with the sauce, mushrooms, carrots, and chicken thighs.

 
3.        Heated Wearable Shawl


I have been dealing with a lot of arm and shoulder pain since my fall in April. I’m always looking for ways to ease the pain. This heated shawl covers my arms in gentle warmth. It’s also going to be great for all the winter nights to come.
 

4.        Ayla & Co. Vacuum


This handheld portable car vacuum is light weight, but strong enough to clean your car easily. It has a rechargeable USB cord and a replaceable filter to make it easy to use.

 
5.        Mettalusso


This vegan brand is for pets and people. I loved the way the Pet Wipes and Waterless Mousse Shampoo made Teddy’s hair clean, smooth, and fresh, without a strong odor. I tried the Serum Primer and noticed more smoothing and tightness in my face in a few days.

 
6.        European Deli

If you want to go back to memories of European markets like I do, or pay homage to a family member or friend’s heritage, you’ll find a huge selection of products to choose from the European Deli website.

 
7.        Skechers Slip Ins

I was skeptical about the new “slip in” shoes, but they really do work. You can put them on perfectly without ever bending down. I love the feel of these, and they also have a lot of support.

 
8.        Audible Membership





I really enjoy listening to books on Audible, especially autobiographies read by the authors. You can gift an Audible membership that has thousands of free books to read, and a complimentary bestseller every month.

 
9.        XXI Martinis

With everything you have to do this holiday season, why waste time mixing martinis? XXI Martinis are perfectly mixed and just need chilling. While they are all good, the Espresso is so outstanding a friend who doesn’t like coffee couldn’t  wait  to go buy a bottle.
 
10.   Sausalito Liquor Company Unsinkable Chocolate liqueur

You can do whatever you want with this chocolate liqueur, but I liked it just on the rocks and in coffee. It’s got the deepest, richest chocolate taste of any liqueur I’ve ever had.
 
11.   Ricardo Avalon Luggage

As much as I have loved my Samantha Brown luggage (some pieces I’ll probably keep forever) for many years, I needed something lighter weight. Ricardo offered me a set of their Avalon luggage and it is perfect. They are so light and functional, with pieces that fit my wheelchair. There are great deals on them at Macy’s now.
 
12.   Travelambo Multi card Bifold Wallet


I finally found a wallet that can hold lots of cards without taking up lots of room in my bag. This is a fantastic gift that comes in a ton of colors and is currently only $11.04.
 
13.   Furzapper


This is the perfect stocking stuffer for everyone. They can slip right into your pocket and be used to remove lint, fur, hair, and more from clothing and furniture.
 
14.   Alter Eco Dark Chocolates


These are also a must for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. These rich, dark chocolates are made with the planet in mind, with compostable packaging and organic ingredients.
 

 

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