Home Sweet Home

What a day - freezing rain that made everything a sheet of ice. No outside guide work for Cricket today.  We didn't leave our office all day.  Feels good to be home. Home sweet home.

I am not such a fan of grocery shopping especially when it is crowded, but tonight was fun.  We ran into several friends including Cricket's vet. Cricket was so excited to see him as she tried to stay calm in harness with her tail just a wagging!

We also had a man come up to us and shared that he had been a puppy raiser. We thanked him! He was so kind he said -- the real gift is seeing the dogs matched and helping someone else lead such an active life. Then he said - you guys look like a good together :), ah sweet.

I've been in a cleaning out mode for the last month.  I am loving the progress being made in my office/dog room/laundry room (one of my favorite rooms in our house!  Now onto my closet. Does anyone else do this? Sometimes I transfer my winter clothes back to the basement without even wearing some of them.  So, I'm on a quest to wear them  -- rediscover some clothes I forgot about and discover some clothes that I can say good bye.

I had forgotten about this peach (I think) sweater and these pants (both Ann Taylor).  I love this black blouse and wear it all the time.  All keepers.  Sweet dog - definitely a keeper!  

We didn't run this morning.  Contemplating hopping on the ellyptical this evening.  Its just not as fun as running outside.  I can do it, right!

Later - I did it while Steve was next on the bike.  Hopping on that tandem sounds like so much fun!

Little Things. Retinitis Pigmentosa.

One of my philosophies on life in general and particularly in the blindness journey is to learn, learn, learn.  Be open to ideas and if something isn't working to seek out options and other ways to do it.  I have learned time again that when something isn't working there is generally a new technique or tool that helps immensely.  Often it is a little thing that can make a big difference. Through the years Steve and I have done much brainstorming and problem solving to have things running pretty smooth.  He is incredible.

Last Thursday morning I had a teacher, who assists individuals who are blind - she is blind as well, come to my home.  I have loved getting to know her.  She once again was fabulous and so helpful.  We walked through my home - my routines from organizing the kitchen, using the stove, organizing my clothes, make-up, etc.   She gave me some further tips on using my ipad to record some of those frequently used instructions on the back of boxes, etc. She marked our appliances with further raised dots.  I forgot how helpful that can be!  It also gave me a little boost of confidence as I told her different adaptive ways I did things and she would say - that's a great idea.  She loved that my closet had a coral section :) and my jewelry organization was also a hit.    As we walked through the house I was able to share and describe with her different pictures on the wall - mostly family and places we have visited that have special meaning to us and sayings - our house has many sayings throughout.  She indicated that she loved how our walls were emotionally connecting.  Loved that phrase and the new little tips she shared will mean a lot and also felt a burst of confidence knowing that the techniques I am doing are mostly working.  I just need to use my oven.

We ran 4 miles this morning.  Beautiful.  Crisp Air.  Talk of a Marathon to come with friends.  Busy Monday at the office with good things to share.  

Celebrating You. Jewelry Statement

I love jewelery. Not fancy - just simple, cheap, and fun. So, it seemed fitting for the challenge of the day: Make a statement with jewelry to be standing by my jewelry cabinet.   This necklace is fun but a little noisy when I walk!  We decided I need to get a dark slip for this dress.  Oops. 

dress:  greece trip, belt:  greece trip, necklace:  Ann Taylor

In the process of preparing our Fall Groups for the office Grief and Loss Groups, Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Group, and Girls' Teen Group.

Dr. Alan Wolfelt says:

Feel good about yourself.  Viewing life on the bright side does not come naturally to everyone.  It could take some intentional changes in how you view life and your own identity and self image.  Start by studying your positive features.  What are your strengths and what do you enjoy?  What would make you satisfied in life?  Who are your favorite people, and what makes you laugh?  When was the last time you had a good laugh out loud?  What are your greatest accomplishments and what do you have to look forward to in the future?  We all have weaknesses and traits we would like to change.  We all at some time wish we were smarter or more successful.  It's important to stay focused on your merits and nurture a healthy self-esteem and not be pulled down by your perceived faults.  Never lose sight of your goodness and unique qualities.  This knowledge will help you grow and succeed, even in adverse times.  Hold your head up, smile and be proud of who you are.  This will not only help your state of mind, but it will improve your health as well. 

Make a list of your positive traits today.  Take time to allow yourself to feel good about these traits. 

For me, sometimes taking that little time to put on jewelry is a way that I celebrate. 

Just a taste of the amazing work environment that I have - yesterday while copying a card I forgot where I put my diet coke and then knocked it over and spilled in and around the copier. Two of my colleagues rallied around and had it all cleaned up while I walked back out to greet my new client. Then, they thanked me for the bonding moment we had. Love them.

21-Day Challenge. Belting it.

Steve is often on a quest to help me organize my belts.  There are many.  This belt is my latest.  I wish I had it in several colors - except same belt in different colors isn't the wisest plan for a blind person I have found.  I go a lot off how the fabric feels and memory rather than marking all my belts and clothing items.  I love this skirt.  My black shoes are so comfortable.  Cricket and I have covered lots of miles in these shoes this summer.

We were at a wedding and not sure of the circumstances at the home we were going to so I left Cricket home.  She would of been fine.  Infact, there were two guide dog puppies and raisers/friends there!  Fun to see them.

Skirt:  Ann Taylor, Top: Ann Taylor, Black top: Shade, Shoes: Born,  Belt:  Ann Taylor.  Are you seeing a pattern in my clothing! 

Funny note:  my photographer and sweet husband, Steve, wore very similar colors so all  night people were commenting on how we matched. 

Natalie is coming for a visit tomorrow!!  So, we will have fun playing and doing the 21-day challenge together for the next few days. 

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.   

Tucked in the Corner

This new shirt is two years old.  I have passed by it several times in the back corner of the closet and for some reason wore it today.  I love it and will pull it out again - not sure why it had been ignored in the back of the closet.  I'm in the process of finishing moving all my winter clothes out and spring/summer clothes in to my closet.  I don't know how others who are blind organize their clothes (perhaps not get quite so many!), but a new season change means sorting through with someone with vision - making sure what is in my closet fits, isn't worn out, no spots, etc.  It seems like once that has been done with the season change the fun of creating new outfits begins. 

What a difference a day makes.  Today Cricket and I took a walk between clients.   The sun felt great shining on us.  Cricket stopped at our little place that we sit and enjoy the sunshine.  We had a few minutes to enjoy and be still.  There was a lady that was super kind at Arctic Circle today.  She was educating her little girl about Cricket in such a helpful way.   She then helped me get my drink and opened the door for me while verbally telling me what she was doing.  Her kindness was so sweet.

My sidebars are still dropping to the bottom of my blog even though the layout indicates otherwise.  Sigh.  On a single post they appear.  Perhaps I'll tuck this concern in a corner for now.   Long, but joyful day in so many ways at the office today.

I love lab kisses!

Fashion Organization: Jewelry

Continuing on with the   Fashion Organization , sharing how I organize my Jewelry.
As with any part of organizing, a place for everything and everything in its place is helpful. I love my jewelery case.

The top drawer is designated for earrings.  I try to put them away as a pair.  If I have lost one of them, they go in the bottom drawer.   Sometimes it is AMAZING how earrings will reappear.  I recently found one of my black/white earrings in the bottom of a box of my office Christmas Decorations.  I brought it back and sure enough the other one was in my bottom drawer so I now, a year later, have a set again. 

Second drawer is bracelets/watches.

This next drawer has earring backs (lots of extras so that I am not searching), rings, and necklaces.  There is one additional drawer for more necklaces. 

This jewelery cabinet also has sides that hold long necklaces. 

It probably could be organized neater but this seems to work.  Most jewelery is distinct enough that I recognize it by feel or can identify with my limited sight or I ask Steve.  I love wearing jewelry.  It seems to just make an outfit complete.   Most of my jewelry is pretty inexpensive which is a relief because I do lose it.  Over the years, Steve has given me nice jewelry and we both have agreed that its best not to ... Too sad, to tell him I've lost those diamond earrings you gave me.  I keep my wedding ring on all the time - if I'm doing something that it needs to be protected,  I wear gloves (cleaning, yard work, etc).  I try to simplify the amount of 'searching' for something.  I do enough of that with much larger items in my home. 

How do you organize jewlery?  Do you have a favorite item you wear?  I have a special event happening on Thursday morning with photos!  Can't wait to tell you all about it. 

Fashion Organization: Clothing

Finding an outfit for the day isn't visual, for me. I don't go to the closet and look through my clothes. I wake up and think about what I will wear for the day.  Is it a casual day, a dressy day, a sweater that I want to wear, then I match the rest of the outfit.  As I've mentioned, it is something I find fun and a way to express my creativity.   I wonder how I would do if I worked at an office with a uniform? Some days that sounds easy, but I would miss the fun of putting an outfit together. So, as the new season begins; I have gone through all my clothes with  Steve. It is a fun treat when Natalie is in town for a clothing intervention ! I think there are a few skirts she would encourage me to say good-bye.  Similar to my shoes, I start on one side with black, colors and then browns on the other end.  All my skirts and jackets are very different so additional labeling is not needed.  Being aware of what is in the closet  is the key for me.  I seem to be drawn to black and white tweed jackets.  Steve counted four of various styles.  Can't wait to wear one that I found on a great sale at Ann Taylor.  You know it is a bargain if it ends with .99.  (That means it is marked down and down again and can't be returned.) 

I have two pair of leggins - denim and grey.  So I put a safety pin in the grey pair to distinguish. 

There are various blind aids to assist in identifying clothing.  So far, I have found simple techniques of marking the tag in a distinct way if needed and organization in my closet works great.  I can distinguish colors that are very different from one another for example, two sweaters that one is grey and one is pink I can tell.  If one is grey and one is brown -- too close.  

I like these wooden pant hangers.  You can put a braille description on the actual hanger rather than a label on the pants.  This may not always be practical for packing purposes.  Cricket and I are going on a little adventure next week and will share our packing tips.  We are so excited! 

Fashion Organization: Just Comfy

A sciff of snow is on the ground. It is chilly outside. The days of putting on the bike attire are replaced with cozy sweats. Requirements for sweats at home: COMFORTABLE. Last year I wore out my Aggie Sweats and Navy Born to Lead Sweatshirt. This year I will be sporting my brown, Born to Lead Sweatshirt, and a pair of black of the softest sweats. They are generally left either in a pile in my closet or near Cricket's bed.

No organization or worries about matching on this one, just comfort.

Fashion Organization: Socks & Accessories

Organization Continued!  Thanks for reading and if you have tips to share, questions, or comments -- LOVE them.  I keep my socks in bins. The black socks in one, blue in another one, and the brown and white in one. The black and blue are labeled in braille on the outside with the middle bin white and brown. Simple and helpful. Purses. I have a row of purses high. This seems to be the easiest way to be able to reach up and touch the one that I want. The textures are very different and easy to distinguish by feel and shape.

Belts are also in a bin.
(Side note: If you can see this picture, I have pictures hanging in my closet of my kids when they were young - there are plenty outside of the closet as well.  I love them hanging around!)
The belts that are similar shape are labeled with a br for brown. I have mostly black belts so no mark indicates they are black. Jewelery - love it. I sort through it periodically with someone so I remember what I have. One drawer for earrings, two drawers for bracelets, two drawers for necklaces.

I love accessories to an outfit. I have a visual of what my accessories are in my head so that I can know what I am looking for to complete an outfit.  I knew with the snow (yuck) this morning I wanted to wear my new rider boots.  They are an olive brown color which I remembered that I had a sweater that same color.  I have my moms group today which made me think of my mom and the bracelet she gave me that I love.  It is metals which led to my accenting with this fun  necklace and earrings. 

Cricket and I had a chance to go for a walk today.  So happy that my boots are also very comfortable.  Love that I was in Joanne's Fabrics and when the cashier asked me my dog's name and I told her, the lady behind me said I thought I recognized her (a yoga instructor)! 

My head is spinning after a hectic Monday.   How was your day? 

Fashion Organization: Shoes

I love dressing for Fall & Winter.    Boots, sweaters, coats, mittens, scarves: pulling an outfit together can be fun.  I was recently asked to share some of my tips on Fashion as a woman who is blind.   For me, I love to express myself, my mood, my creativity through my clothing.    I will agree this can be an added challenge on each level being blind.   I realize now, I don't see this being something that I ever give up.  I used to tell Steve, let me shop because there will be a time that I won't enjoy it.  Poor man, we both realize now that is not the case!   So, I am going to share, and I hope someone will enjoy.  Dad, I understand if you have moved on by now.  I'll label as Fashion Organization/Blindness.

As with my  blogging post , I hope those of you that are blind or visually impaired will also share your tips and techniques as well.   We will start from the bottom with shoes.  Here in Utah we have distinct seasons so when it begins to turn chilly, I switch out my sandals for closed toed and boots.  With a new season, I go through my shoes and have someone with an eye tell me if they are still in fashion and look good.  Then, I clean them and spray them with protectant.  My winter boots/shoes are almost all either brown or black.  So, this makes for easy division.  (Maybe a little boring. I loved my pair of red boots that I had a few years ago.)  I have one pair of navy dress shoes, but they are a very different style so easy to identify.  I have the same  pair of boots in black and brown so it is really important that I put them back in the same place so that they don't get mixed up.  (I am sharing this from a previous embarrassing experience.)  This year, after doing an inventory I needed a pair of brown casual shoes to wear with dress pants.  Because I knew just what I wanted/needed I was able to go into the store on my own and tell the clerk what I needed.  Sometimes I will ask, what is the fun new boot/shoe this year.  They love to share.  You can get a lot of helpful information from other people.  She told me she had a pair of rider boots that are a rustic brown that will go with denim, browns, colors, etc. They were on sale, so done!   I am late 40's , ouch,  so I am not going to go crazy with the fads but may incorporate part of it into my outfit such as my animal print sandals or a belt with glitter.  I probably won't wear a full dress in this print or a glittery top, but a fun accent. 

I keep my shoes comfortable with a little style in the Fall/Winter.  Cricket and I will be walking through uneven terrain, mud, ice, slush so good traction is important.  I love boots.  

With this system, there isn't really a need for further marking or labeling on the actual shoes.  At times, I may get sloppy and leave them throughout the room and need a little help with the boots that are the same style/different color.  Other than that, they are easy to identify. 

Running, biking, hiking shoes are in a separate place.  They are all very different and have a distinct feel to them.