Celebrating Guide Dog Month. Cricket is Patient & Forgiving.

For fifteen years now I have had a guide dog by my side.  Devoted to watching out for my safety in work and play.  Pretty incredible.  However, there are a few times when Cricket does not join -- cycling and running are two of those times for us.  Cricket recognizes our cycling gear. She is so patient and supportive of our adventures. I love that inspite of us leaving her for a couple hours, she greets us happily.  She is so forgiving!  She has wonderful house behavior during her quiet times which I so appreciate and thank her puppy raisers.  You all are SO amazing.

We spent the weekend in St. George, Utah.  They have a beautiful, amazing trail system to run, ride bikes, and go for walks with Cricket.  There were several trails that had been washed out with the flooding of the past few years.  They are all back now.  We were so happy!  We could ride for miles.  We opted for a 15 miler one day and two 25 miler bike rides.  It is still pretty warm down so we rode early in the morning which Cricket liked, too.  We could feed her and she could go back to bed while we biked :).     

Steve is a great narrator - lizard on the left, lambs on the right, rabbit just crossed the trail - pretty cool.  Great cross-train for the marathon coming up in 10 days - yikes :)!  

We also ran our 5-mile loop this morning on this trail.  Steve is able to give me verbal cues on this trail as we run side by side.   

Back home and ready for a busy week at the office.  Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday :)!   

Worth the climb

We biked the Bountiful Boulevard Loop from our house. If you are familiar with our area .. .that is quite the climb from Davis Boulevard! There were some pretty wonderful things about this climb: reaching the top and remembering that it was the time of day that a picture with the sunset could be awesome. We just had our phone so who knows what the picture looks like -- but its a fabulous memory as we got off the bike and enjoyed the moment.  The picture in my head is great :)!

Then, we stopped in to say hi to Natalie and Adam on the way home.   We think it is so very awesome they are so close! What a great date night!  Sweet Cricket knows when the biking gear comes out it is her quiet time at home.  

Now Back to Running & Cycling

Here is a closer view of the tether that I use when running that my friend and one of my running guides, Shannon, made for me. This one is just the right length, comfortable fabric, has some give for the guide who puts their arm through and then I hold on to the other end.

We are tapering down now on our run. Less than three weeks away until the Top of Utah Marathon!
This week we will run 29 miles - today was 5 miles, tomorrow 8 miles, rest, Thursday 12 miles and then 4.

Steve and I haven't enjoyed our tandem near enough this summer!  We were able to do our 25-mile loop on Saturday morning.  We kept saying - this is such a beautiful morning to be on the bike.  Indeed.  

Monday morning ... back to work.  Grateful to have a job that I love.  

Cycling, Running & Juicing.

The truth is tonight I am exhausted and probably in the picture below it is shown all over my face. Last night Steve and I finally were able to get on the bike and do our 25-mile loop. It was a fabulous ride. We came home and enjoyed one of Steve's juicing creations. They just keep getting yummier. I love that I am eating spinach and not tasting it. (I have a reputation for ordering salads and eating everything except the spinach or lettuce). Early morning was time for our 18-mile run in preparation for the marathon. My lack of not eating more last night with the bike ride caught up to me, and I hit a bit of a wall on our run. My amazing friends and running guides were there to support me as we completed the longest run yet. I will eat more the night before so I am ready to take on the 20-mile run in a couple weeks and plan to take that day off from work. Dashed home from the run and spent until 8:30 PM at my office. Steve brought a Keva that just saved the day.

Tomorrow a rest day from running and lighter day at the office sounds fabulous. I'll look forward to Steve's juicing and will remember the lessons learned from this day :)!

I have so many analogies of a marathon run and life ... for another day.

Summer Nights

We love summer nights. We haven't been on the bike as much this summer for a combination of reasons ... doing lots of running, enjoying walks with Cricket and time - lack of it. I am hoping tomorrow early evening finds us on the bike. Tonight we walked along Bountiful Boulevard. It has a nice wide sidewalk and amazing sunsets.

A young client told me you look really nice in your white and orange.  I said -- really I thought I was told this shirt was pink.  She said - it doesn't really matter with white pants :) true.  Speaking of white pants .. love these good old white capris from Old Navy.  I realized today they were bought when we lived in our last house which was nine years ago!  Time flies.    

One of the snippets of lemonade that has come from this experience is connecting with Steve Mikita and discovering his book:  

I Sit all Amazed, the extraordinary power of a mother's love by Steve Mikita.   My Steve and I are reading it together.  Do you have a book you are reading?  I am now embracing and thoroughly enjoying downloading books and reading from my ipad. 

Enjoying the Journey

Steve and I had a shorter time to ride last night so we were going to bike to the temple - a nice little climb - make that a pretty step climb. We got halfway and Steve asked me if I wanted to keep going. I said -- doesn't matter to me - its about the journey, not the destination :). I was thrilled when we opted to turn around and go for a gentler journey.   (I wish my phone could click quieter so it wasn't so obvious when I had taken a picture ... someone knows I'm not pedaling to hard when my elbow is on his back taking a picture.)

I'm waiting for my friends to run our 12-mile run this morning.  I got up bright and early and thought oh ... we've got to run almost a 1/2 marathon this morning.  And, then I thought oh we just need to run to 400 North twice with a couple extra miles.  Suddenly breaking the journey into smaller steps makes it sound so much better.  We will get going and talking and the sun will come up and will be so happy that we did it!  

Enjoy your journey today ... doorbell just rang so we are off!  

Cricket's Weekend

Hope you are having a great weekend. Enjoying the Olympics? Love that my son just called to me to let me know there was one of those touching stories that I would love on :)! Inspired!  Cricket is all smiles as she waits for her guests to arrive.  Tonight we had the Greatest Paws on Earth Guide Dogs for the Blind Chapter over for a BBQ.  So awesome to connect and some great side dishes were shared!  We also enjoyed Dr. Ben Brown and Mindy joining us to give us some pointers on keeping our dogs healthy.

Cricket shared her kitchen floor with six other guide dogs.  They were all great!  

Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed the Sound of Music at Hale Theatre last night.  We generally get an awesome seat that gives Cricket lots of space and is out of the way.  This time we were seated in Section 5 which we learned doesn't have as much leg room.  We'll remember for next time to ask for another section.  It was still great and Cricket curled up tight.  If I set my purse down, she snuggles right up to it and slept through the whole performance.  

Cricket stayed home while we went on a 25-mile bike ride this morning.  We hadn't been on the bike for weeks with everything.  We had some wind so we were tired but it felt great to get back on.  It is a place we love to talk and also a great place to come up with ideas!  

Natalie and I also enjoyed pedicures with Cricket cheering us on, of course!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

New doors

I am learning much about concussions. I think it would be helpful if they clarified what 'rest' means. To me, that meant do a light run not our long run this morning :). I was feeling pretty good so we tried it today. I spent the rest of the day wiped out - managing a 1/2 day at work and then to the doctor where I learned rest = rest. She explained it clear and specific.  You have a serious concussion and you need to not do anything that raises your heartrate for 2-4 weeks after you are symptom free. Oh. Okay. Still have many symptoms.  It will be several weeks before back on the roads running. Sad. No cycling up hills on our tandem. Sad. Our 24-mile date night cycling loop that we love will have to wait.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door

 that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.  Helen Keller, We Bereaved, 1929

As I sat in the 'hallway' reflecting on (tempoarily) closed doors,  I felt some sadness.  Then, reflected on What is life trying to teach me right now?  I will be open to learn. Then, cheery texts from my running friends.  Alternative of lunch and shopping doesn't sound too bad!  And, then started to think what new doors are open.

We are anticipating a wonderful trip of a lifetime to come.  We have been saving and planning for months. I need to get prepared and feel healthy to enjoy and take it all in. Cricket and I want to get lots of walks in before we leave. Walks are good.  She will be staying with family and friends that will give her much love and care. There will be some leisurely bike rides with Steve in the weeks to come.  A drop in visit from Natalie.  Such a day brightener!

Cricket seems to be loving our second backyard as much as we do in St. George.   We found some new cycling trails that will be waiting for us when we can get back on the bike and get our heart rate up!

I serve on an amazing alumni board.  I have been touched by their kindness and support to me during this difficult time.

Life is indeed good.  

Celebrating Cricket

Today Cricket turns seven. Wow.  Time flies.  Cricket, my second guide dog, has been there by my side for 5 1/2 years. Incredible gratitude for this girl.  She will do countless things for me today.  Here are seven that I  know:  1) she will guide me to my office door and then 2) up the stairs to the upstairs office, later 3) she will guide me to the outside curb steering around any objects that may be in our way --this includes over hang - there currently is a tree that she has to stop for with low hanging branches 4) she will stop at the street crossing and help me safely cross the street 5) she will help me 'find the door' to go to LDSFS Agency to visit, after visiting and sharing some cookies I will tell her 6) Cricket 'outside' and she will lead us out 7)back to another street crossing and then  back to the office.  I could go on and on ... just all in a days work for Cricket.  

In typical Cricket style, I tried to give her a kiss and she quickly wanted to give me one back including her paw.

To describe Cricket is describing Love.  I bump her and while I am saying, Oh so sorry Cricker girl she is trying to give me a kiss.    

Happy Birthday, Cricket

Starting the day with a 9-mile run in prepping for our marathon.  Hoping to end work in time for a bike ride with Steve.  The rest of the day will be spent with my Cricket ... oh how I love and appreciate you.  There will also be time for belly rubs and scratches behind the ear for you, too, Cricker girl.

Simple, great moments

I am developing a workshop surrounding Positive Psychology - still working on the title and times. I think it will be a class format. I love to create and feel fortunate that I have a profession where there is so many opportunities to do so. If you want to join in on the discussion, start with taking the questionnaire: www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu and click on VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire.

There are so many great moments in my life. Here are three I captured with my phone:

Enjoying another amazing, beautiful summer night on our tandem.  Ah, I just had to stop and enjoy and click before I started pedaling again :).

Cricket 'finding the trash'. Not just good, but great girl!  I know past good girl it might be blah, blah to her but I proceeded to tell her thank you and how much that means to me that she can find the trash in unfamiliar areas.

This beautiful flower in our backyard.  I love how they just keep sharing and giving more starts.  This one is for you Natalie and your yard.    

What's in your store for your weekend?  

Hope it is full of some great moments :)!

Celebrating.

We had a little get together to celebrate Natalie's graduation (MBA!).    The shrimp was a big hit.  The strawberries were so yummy.   If anyone else is celebrating a 2012 graduation there are more sugar cookies in our freezer.  As usual, I had way too much food!  Thanks to family and friend support.  Congratulations, Natalie!  

Three generation picture with two puppies cheering us on as well!  What do you think?  Is there a resemblance?  

Busy, good weekend.  We were able to get in an awesome 24-mile bike ride, too.   I took a picture, however Steve and I were not in the picture :).

Energized

Sunshine and relaxing were on schedule for the weekend as we set off for one of our favorite getaways - beautiful St. George.

We laughed, biked, ran and laughed some more.  We found two new eating places we loved including Camille's.   When they had Josh Groban music playing on the patio ... I knew the food would be fabulous :). We covered 50 miles on our tandem bike. It is such a fun way to explore.

A few comments that made me smile - A lady to her child: Don't talk to that blind lady and her dog. I smiled and said hi as I felt like what she really meant was to encourage her child not to pet my working dog. Thank you.

A lady asked me if I was training my dog. I 'looked at her', smiled and said - She is my guide dog and she said - Oh yeah, I can totally tell you are blind now :).  I smiled feeling grateful that I was comfortable with who I am (well most of the time, right :)

What a special treat to come home to a dinner invitation with Natalie and Adam . I have to remind myself its not just a great dream that they are now living so close.

Beautiful morning.  We just ran 4 miles - winding down the training for the 1/2 marathon  on Saturday.  Have a great Monday!

Update

Friday my left hand was casted. I broke the scaphoid bone which my doctor gently said 'in older people' takes up to 12 weeks to heal. Because of where it is they wrap the thumb  'to try to help you behave' and keep it aligned to heal.  Missing all that a left moveable hand/arm helps with in my life including blogging about my life (I'll find a way!)  and walking freely with my sweet guide dog, Cricket.  In the meantime, she will keep her second job as a good therapy dog at the office, while I use my cane and sighted guide. 

Beautiful St. George this weekend including a performance of Grease with my parents, Steve and Kendall.  Natalie and Adam were going to join us, but if you read  -- good things to come meant Natalie needed to be back in San Diego by Saturday for class.  

I was hoping to get on the bike, but Steve said no.  What's up?

I don't like my last hair cut - too heavy in the front for me.  I am looking forward to a new cut and color soon.  I had a new black/white sweater to wear for the Grease performance, but it wouldn't fit over my cast.  Oh, the fashion challenges of a broken arm :).   

So sweet

Thank you so much for your very sweet emails and comments after our bike fall. The people and bike are healing well.  We have been doing some - so how did we fall that gave you a black and blue bruise on the side of your right leg?  We are celebrating our resilient our bodies are -- they work hard to heal.   Hoping to be back out running soon and on the bike next time we are in St. George.   I guess today we thought we needed to implement our black brace into the accessories of the outfit.  I love this sweater and have it in green, too.  Anyone else get more than one of something when they find it fits?  I used to do that with shoes or belts but its a little harder to mark and keep them identified.  I love this cuddly dog. 

This is a busy week at our office which means more downtime for Cricket which is wonderful as I'm supposed to hold off on having her pull me for another week.  This is one of Cricket's favorite places at the office.

Remembering our sweet  Missy Girl  who died a year ago. We love her and miss her.

Had some time this morning to nest for some good things to come!  On our last trip to St. George we found this fun clock for our mantle.  Shaped like ... a bicycle!

Sweet - Wednesday is another day of clients and also our Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Class.  Heavens, I have another visual aid for the week of an injury and being kind to self!  The loving-kindness phrase selected for the week:  May I and all  know the natural joy of being alive.  

Crashed. Remember your bike helmet.

It was a beautiful evening to bike in one of our favorite places - St. George. We had a three-day weekend planned with lots of biking, listening to conference , cheering on my friend who was running the St. George Marathon (I was going to run a portion with her!), some nice walks, lunch with a friend and shopping (of course!). We were finishing up our first (and unfortunately last) ride - we had climbed to the top for this view:

After a nice 25 mile ride, we were heading back to our condo when we hit a tiny wet/mossy part in the gutter as we were going onto the road -- it pulled our bike in and flipped us over.  It was such a flukey deal and a reminder how fast those things happen!  Steve hit his head hard -- thank heavens for his helmet (that now has a dent), bruised hip, shoulder and lots of scrapes.  I landed on my left hand (yes, the one that I hold on to Cricket with) and scraped my knees and hands.  (This is our first fall in 11 years.  We think we are a pretty good tandem team!)  After we pulled out of our mess, we hugged and kissed.  Grateful to be okay.  We are sore, but feeling very fortunate that it wasn't more serious.  Fortunately, I sprained (not broke) my wrist so only a brace for a week or so. Two days later we are feeling new places where we are sore!  My neck is so stiff from holding it tight to not hit the road.  Steve hit the hardest because he landed first - his poor hip and shoulder!          

We came back to our condo bleeding.  Cricket rubbed against us and was so concerned that she had blood on her too. 

My friend did awesome in the marathon!  We cheered from the sidelines.  Perhaps, next year we will run?  It will be a little while before we are back on the bike.  In the meantime, we have memories of a wonderful evening prior to our crash and a reminder to all to wear your bike helmet.  Otherwise, I would have been calling 911.  We enjoyed some relaxing time (and trying to help each other's aches) and watched lots of episodes of International House Hunters!  I did have a moment of overwhelm at the store trying to have Cricket guide me.  She seemed to know we were debating on taking her as she slid in front of the door!  Steve talked to her and explained the situation and asked if she could pull a little lighter the next couple days.  She listened intently and really is doing so!   She basically will be off duty for a few days - just accompanying me and my white cane to the office :(.

Running. Cycling. Repairing.

These shoes sat in my closet all year not being worn. Natalie came for a visit and we realized how cute they were. I meant to put them in her suitcase to take back with her. After she left, I put them on and the strap broke. I stapled it (my repair item on the 21-day challenge) and have been wondering why I haven't worn them more often.

This is a favorite place for conversations in our house and a favorite place for a Cricker Girl to hang out. 

Shoes:   Ann Taylor Skirt:  Ann Taylor Top:  Ann Taylor.  (Perhaps I could think outside the box a bit or be a sponsor for my friend, Ann)

5K run this morning.  So awesome!  Thank you, Brenda.  After work, we are going to try to hop on the bike for another sunset ride.

Simply Beautiful

Perfect 24-mile sunset ride.

This time of year, I savor every moment of glorious weather.  Its starting to get dark earlier so we have to hurry to get our ride in.  Recently Steve rode his single bike with a group and was faster than on our tandem.  Motivation for me to pedal fast tonight and earn my spot on the bike!   There's just pure joy on a tandem.  I think Steve loves having chatter in his ear that he just can't get on his single bike!     

Happiness is cycling with my best friend. 

Life & Jazzing up Jeans

Natalie returned home last night. Loved our time together. I am so often in the pictures .. for some reason, I'm not assigned photographer real often :). They helped me point and click and I took some pictures of my treasures in life.

Kendall and Natalie

Natalie and Steve at Temple Square.  Beautiful time of year to walk through the gardens.

It was so much fun to have Natalie visit and do our 21-day challenge  together.  I'm back on my own for the last week.  Today is Jazz up jeans and a tee. 

Ann Taylor: Jeans

Shade: White tee

Banana Republic:  White blouse

Greece:  Belt (such a great trip)

Banana Republic:  Necklace

Ann Taylor:  Shoes

We hopped on the bike (tandem for those new readers who have asked how I ride a bike!) tonight for our 25-mile loop.  At one point, Steve asked me if I was pedaling (oops).   I was reflecting on the similarities between our bike ride and life.  We have an area that is nice and flat, some parts that are downhill that I sometimes scream as I'm a little scared on the back, a section that the wind was fighting us so hard, a steep hill to climb, and a part where our only option is to be on the sidewalk with overhanging branches and Steve has to warn me to put my head down.  Sometimes I get in a pretty reflective mood in thinking about how we have all these different aspects in our life journey.  

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?

Georgia Eliot.  I am so grateful for all who make my life less difficult and touch my heart each day including an amazing guide dog. 



21-Day Challenge. Mixing Patterns.

I realized day three  - mixing patterns was way out of my comfort zone. Without the ability to see in a mirror, I realized I don't ever attempt to mix and match patterns. I stick to basics. So, as you can see, I didn't get too creative with subtle striped pants, a crazy design shirt, with a lacey designed tee underneath. Most mornings, Steve gives me the thumbs up on my outfits. He was gone so I was on my own to hope it looked okay. My two compliments on my outfit came from a 12 year old and 14 year old client!  A positive of this outfit is I refound this lacey top in my drawer. 

Lacey top:  Ann Taylor

Orange top:  Ann Taylor

Pants:  Banana Republic

Still loving prepping for our Self-Compassion Course to begin in a couple weeks.

Thought for the day from Kristin Neff:  Rather than wandering around in problem solving mode all day, thinking mainly of what you want to fix about yourself or your life; you can pause for a few moments throughout the day to marvel at what's not broken.  (I like the word marvel).

Steve and I had a window of time to do our 24 mile ride.  We increased our time by 10 minutes - awesome.   

Fun!

A picture of our 10K Run on Monday.  Love the crazy hair! Brenda and I ran today and then yoga with  Shannon .  Awesome mom, ever.  Check out her latest. 

Someone recently asked me my  motivation for exercising.  I think enjoying the company of family and friends and getting some side benefits of feeling good physically and mentally. 

Tomorrow morning a walk with a friend and a bike ride with Steve prior to afternoon and evening work. 

Today on our walk, Cricket and I were stopped by Lori, one of our first drivers ... 12 years ago!  She helped carpool our kids and go grocery shopping.  Awesome help at a super busy time.  So fun to see her again.