Yearning to Travel

Its been a few months since Cricket and I have been on a plane. We are ready to GO! Some places I want to go ... San Diego (always), San Juan Islands (such fun times kayaking and biking), Washington, DC & NYC -- (loved the adventure and excitement and history), back to Italy (dream of going back with Steve and riding on a tandem), Peru, Spain, Costa Rica, back to Hawaii are a few places that I am dreaming of visiting. Any place you are going or dreaming of going?

Domestic Attempts

Cricket helped with babysitting this cute little guy while

his mom, my colleague & friend Lisa, and I baked and decorated our Valentine's sugar cookies. Such fun. I love making sugar cookies and have a recipe thanks to my friend, Erin, that is a success each time. Apparently, what I need as my efforts to make Glutein Free Brownies for Mel for her birthday tomorrow failed.

What a relief that she called and said she won't be coming in to work for her birthday ... I've got time to try again.
Here's Erin's Sugar Cookie Recipe:
3 c. flour; 1 cup butter; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 egg; 2 Tbs. milk; 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes. As mentioned, one of my favorites for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day and other special days like when Natalie was an office and we made cookies shaped like V to show our school spirit.

Resiliency

is an empowering word. When selecting the name for my business , I knew Resilient would be a part of it. With life's challenges, being resilient (like a rubber band - being able to bounce back) helps us thrive not just survive. I recall when I was doing a presentation several years ago at a national conference on 'Coping with Vision Loss' a woman in the back of the room said -- I don't want to just cope I want to thrive. All I could say is thank you and I agree! She had a very valid point. I don't want to just cope/get by but rather thrive happily! Presentations since then have not had the word 'cope' in them!

I talk a lot about my family, blindness & my bond with my guide dog on this blog. As you can tell by the number of posts, it has become part of my routine almost each day! I started blogging because I felt like I needed a place to record and process this experience. I thought I would try it ... well, 700 plus posts later I'm a fan! To think someone else would be interested in reading it is such a fun bonus! I must say I thrive on comments :D

I just started a blog for my professional life and want to invite any of you that might be interested to read, to join me . It is a work in progress like life. Today I share the list of Assertive Rights. I love when someone tells me - you'd be so proud of me Becky, I asserted myself today. We do a high-five, once I find their hand! Love Life. Thrive. Dream. Believe. Resiliency. I love my office , my colleagues, my clients, my co-therapist, Cricket, and business partner (and so much more) that has supported me every step of the way in my dream, Steve. We just celebrated our five-year anniversary at this office. So much fun!

Love my mirror

My mirror is usually Steve - The conversation goes something like this --Steve, how do I look? His usual response is something like 'its not hard to decorate a rose' or another cliche which I say -- no seriously. Then its his responsibility to give me a quick overview ... looks good, there's a spot on your skirt, make-up not rubbed in, etc. I love my mirror! (In this picture, Cricket is not amused - she is read to go and wondering why we need to stop and take a picture.  When the purse is on the shoulder she runs to the door - time to GO)

I had a face peel bottle that was the same size as my eye cream bottle. They are the same texture too so it took a few times of him telling me you have 'stuff' on your face that I figured out the problem. Oh!! That's easy to solve ... my face peel now has a braille p on it. Life is an adventure, isn't it.

I pulled out one of my favorite wool skirts for the day. I love its fun little flare and ruffle at the bottom. I love the ruffle and classic combo. As we walked home from church, there were puddles and sounds of melting snow. Yay! I am ready for warmth, sunshine, spring clothes, digging in the dirt (gardening), cycling, long walks ...

You Raise Me Up

A young client recently asked me ... so what would you do if you didn't have Cricket? We talked about feelings and that I would be very sad if something happened to Cricket. Then, we went on to happy feelings that I have for the special part she is in my life. It was a great segway to talk to her about who is special in her life. I explained to her all the ways that Cricket helps me out each day. She allows me to carry on with my day giving much less thought to this blindness. I know that I can go anywhere independently which transfers into confidence in every aspect of my life. Cricket knew we were talking about her and those dark brown eyes stared intently at us hoping there was a little kibble for the praise.

Both Pantera (my first guide dog) and Cricket (my guide for almost three years -- anniversary to come) have Raised Me Up. I don't know if Cricket understands why each time this song comes on that I give her a big hug sometimes with tears in my eyes. Take time to listen to those words and you'll see!

I am grateful every day for this gift of a guide dog that raises me up to make the climb. "Climbing even a short hill will bring us to a higher point." Rwandan Proverb. It started with that first freeing walk with Pantera 13 years ago and indeed gives me confidence, contentment, and freedom each day. Perhaps reading Ro's Journey as the countdown for her to receive her first guide has me thinking of the exciting journey. The switch from anticipating each step to walking independently and confidently is beautiful = joy and appreciation.

Happy Weekend!

Cycling

When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells

We just signed up for our second ride for this upcoming season. The MS 150 Ride in Logan in June. Its been several years since we participated in this ride so we are excited! We will cycle around beautiful Cache Valley where both Steve and I grew up - It is home. I love my new top that I am currently wearing mostly to Yoga indicating that I am "In Training". Ha! Really, it needs to be used to hop on that bike downstairs until it warms up a little more and we can get on it outside. I'm ready! When we hung the bike up in October we were ready for a break - now excited to get on again and pedal. Sorry, Cricket. Our cycling is one of the few times that Cricket is left home or with someone to give her TLC.

Balance

For a Communications class at the local community college, the students have to call someone that is in a profession they are considering and ask them some questions.  I had my second call of the semester tonight (two students -- they don't know each other).   They both said after the interview ... wow, you love your job.  I do!  The ability to experience such a deep connection with people in their journey through life is amazing!  A client brought in her latest find today: "Therapist in a Box"

We laughed as she read it to me!  Its going on the gift list for each therapist in my office!

I love my job, indeed.  However,  its been a busy week - already put in 30 hours and super excited that Thursday is a 1/2 day before a full day on Friday.   I have to remind myself that I told both these students that a healthy balance of work and play is so important!   I need a morning to get on my hands and knees and scrub the floor while a dog licks my face :D