Happy Day

Grateful for people that bless mine and my families lives each day. I can't stop smiling.

40 plus friendship

There are many things to celebrate in your 40s! One of which is longtime friends. Happy Birthday, Wendy. I still remember 41 years ago praying that I could be four like you (I was three).
Thanks for a 40 plus friendship.

We never know ...

the impact we have on someone. As I've been spending the month of November reconnecting and sending notes/phone calls to people who I appreciate two people received a call from me today. Their messages and examples continue to bless my life: Chris, the social worker at the Blind Center, told our group: Independence is being in charge of one's own choices. At the time, it was like a lightbulb moment and so empowering (still is) but when I had quit driving and was feeling pretty dependent I thought, yes I can be in charge of my own choices and choose how I see something and decide on my options. Marianne, my first rehabilitation counselor at the blind center, was a mentor to me for a while before I ever met her face to face. She has the most beautiful, soothing voice and I recall during an adjustment phase she left me the message on our phone of: Now, Becky, when one door closes another one opens but we sometimes look so longingly at the closed door we don't see the open door. Today it was a blessing to talk to both of these lovely ladies and thank them for the impact they have had on my life. Has someone said something to you at a key time that has left a mark? Please share with us!

It's a Sale

We love a good sale, who doesn't right? So, when we had the chance to go to the Adidas Warehouse Sale in Portland with Steve & Debi, we were happy to do so. I love that the shopping carts were a big box with a rope.
I found some fun new yoga outfits and Steve and Steve found a great deal on SuperNova Running Shoes. (Steve's favorite - I learned that this trip) We came home with three pair for less than the price of one at the outlet store = orange HEAVY tag on our suitcase. Any good deals you have found? I'm searching for that Ann Taylor Wearhouse Sale to fill up my box.

Ahhh, Nice

On our recent flight home from Portland we were upgraded to First Class. My favorite part is the extra leg room for me and spaciousness room for Cricket. Ahhh, nice. Flight #37 , for Cricket, was smooth and uneventful for us all. From this picture you may be able to tell that Cricket wishes the window was just a little lower so she could peek out and see the world down below. FYI: She sits in front of my legs on the floor on the flight. She is a great traveller.
I love to travel and hope we aren't grounded for too long.

Fun with Friends

My friend Debi is incredible. She became an angel when my first guide dog needed a place to recover for a few weeks after leg surgery. When I felt like part of me was missing with my guide gone, she kept me informed on Pantera's recovery and cared for her like her own. We soon became good friends and over the past ten years have travelled together with our Steves and I look forward to any opportunity to visit them. You know that person that you come stay at their home, they feed you and go out of their way for you and somehow they have you feeling like it is their privilege that you came! That is Steve and Debi. I hope someday we will be able to return their graciousness in our home (however, I've got to take some serious cooking lessons to make that happen!)
We enjoyed visiting the Portland Market where we found a fun painting for our home (tradition that you take a photo with the artist), yummy pumpkin pie fudge (yes!), yellow gloves to match my yellow purse and hopefully soon, yellow coat (if you see one, let me know)
Cricket loved her time playing with her friends: Culver, Dakota, and Desma. They welcomed her with open paws. Honda, the cat, I think was happy to see Cricket go.

As we hang our new picture of Mt Hood in our dining room, we have so many wonderful memories of this area.

Fall Luncheon Pictures

Here are the pictures from the Guide Dog Luncheon at the Portland Zoo on Friday. Such fun and we were so happy to have our Steve's come along. The picture below - note: I have my purse that I LOVE!
Its my third luncheon joining these ladies! Love them all and so happy they received the memo that brown was the color this year.