My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Monday, January 2, 2012

Simplicity. Shopping.

I quit driving on Feb 28th - many years ago.  Why that date?  Well, I had gone to the opthalmologist and he said it was time (actually past time to say goodbye to a restricted driver's license)   Random - I was wearing a light blue Mickey Mouse sweatshirt (we had recently taken the kids to Disneyland) when a neighbor came over and asked so how are you going to be a mom.  She also asked are you  really going to sell your car, because what if you change your mind.  We still laugh about these comments (she meant well) and wonder if I should just change my mind about this Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) thing.   

We had prepared for this day.  We lived in an awesome location -- we walked to church, school, grocery store, dentist, bank, caught the bus two houses away.  Our neighborhood decision made our life so much simpler while raising our family.  Still, I remember when I quit driving the adjustment of not running to the store to pick up this or that.  For years, I was so organized with my shopping.  I had a list designed in the way the grocery store was laid out.  A consistent day that I went grocery shopping with a friend/driver/family member changed this time of crisis into such a simple routine. 

Now, years later Steve has a more flexible schedule, and we seem to grocery shop on a more random basis.  I still find it very helpful to keep a running list, now on my ipad,  of what I need so when I make it to the store I am somewhat organized.  I'm contemplating going back to those super organized days or maybe not :).  I seem to be at a different phase in life on what helps make life simple.  Often take out after a busy day at the office = simplicity.

What is on my running list of items? A solid black coat - fabric that doesn't catch dog hair (now is a great time to find a coat for a fabulous bargain... end of January even better), some more running socks,  Cricket food,  Trop 50 juice (pomegranate - my favorite), and a couple new plants for the office.  (I like having live plants at the office but struggle with the keeping them alive aspect of this concept.)  Steve is generally aware of my running list items, too so if he comes across that cute black coat he can make that purchase :).

Simplicity in shopping for me is some organization and some flexibility.  

3 comments:

Just Jess for now said...

I think simplicity is definitely about finding what works for the life stage you are in. My friends give me a hard time about eating out or calling in take out on a more frequent basis than they do, but when you have two blind people living in a house, sometimes take out is the easiest way to do things. You just find what works for you. :)

Myrna R. said...

I wish I could incorporate simplicity into every aspect of life.
it's nice to read your blog again.

* said...

I suggest pregnant onions. They are small odd plants but extremely hardy. I have not yet been able to kill them either by watering too much or too little.And by little I mean very little. Sometimes I will forget for a month or so and all I have to do is water the plants once or twice and they pop right back into health!