Village of Support

Saturday I will be running my next marathon with my two amazing friends and running guides - Brenda and Suzette.  I am so very grateful for their friendship and their willingness to run tethered with me for a full marathon.  As if running a marathon isn't enough - their willingness to also guide me is inspiring!  Love these beautiful women!  (We will miss you Melissa).

My first marathon two years ago was a wonderful experience.  We worked hard in the training and did well.  Looking back, I didn't fully appreciate the blessing of training and running a marathon without an injury!  Well, there was a concussion in there to heal from :) but otherwise simply a lot of hard work and yes, fun.  

Last year, in training for our next marathon I broke my foot on our 16-mile run.  Instead of running a marathon, I spent a couple months in a boot and further healing my seismoid fracture.  Thankfully, after three months I was back running 10K's and a half marathon.   On to this year to begin training once again for another marathon.  Just before leaving for Guide Dog for the Blind for training with my new guide, Georgie, I broke my foot (different bone)!  We were in the middle of training for the marathon.  So, instead of continuing my marathon training at GDB on the treadmill,  I spent the evenings icing my foot as it healed from the latest break.   I returned home and after a couple more weeks was able to resume running.  A couple weeks later I began to have challenges with my IT Band.  Did I need to turn in the running shoes for a while?  Oh, the balance of being driven to a goal and listening to my body's needs.  I decided I would do everything possible to run this marathon while being wise.  I also agreed that if a doctor or other professional told me not to run, I would listen to their advice.  There are other marathons ... however, this one was in place with my two friends training as well.  I have spent the last two months with a physical therapist team, a podiatrist, and an orthopedic doctor as well as awesome friends helping me reach the point where I am excited and ready to run the marathon on Saturday.  I have been inspired by the professionals who have believed in me and have done everything possible to make this happen.

We are grateful the doctor, physical therapist and podiatrist are all in the same building!  Some days have even been able to coordinate appointments.  Georgie knows the routes well to their offices!  She has learned that find the elevator means not the first one that is the freight elevator.  She has even learned the routine of machines at physical therapy.  She has learned that I'm okay while x-rays are being taken.  She has become my cheerleader waiting on the entry way rug until I return from a run.  She is part of the team!  

I don't know if the IT Band will act up at mile two, mile ten, mile twenty or not at all.  Perhaps there will be something else totally different that will flare up.  I know that I have put in the preparation and given 100% for this goal.  Whether I cross the finish line in the time we hope for or reach a point where I am injured, can't walk and have to call for help; I am grateful for the journey.  I have learned much.  I have gained a deeper appreciation for the blessing of being able to run.  I am grateful for the incredible village of support that have helped me along the way.  Husband,  forever cheering me on; doctors and physical therapists who have helped me have a 'game plan' throughout the process and amazing friends.  They have walked me back to the house when the pain flared up - been willing to stop and stretch or walk up the hills to keep the healing process going.  I recall going in to one of the doctors and telling him - I know I'm injured and I don't want to do anything crazy.  However, I really want to run the Boston Marathon for my 50th birthday and need your help to make that happen.   He said: We will support your determination.  I love that and thought ... do I support others determination?  

I have returned from each run to two yellow labs sitting on the entry rug eagerly waiting.  They will be there greeting me at the end of the marathon no matter what the outcome.  They seem to know Its about the journey and being a part of the support.

Rounding the corner back to our house.  Final run before the Marathon on Saturday with Suzette.   Steve was just pulling out and took a quick picture :).  

In Style

Cricket and I love fashion :).  Cricket wasn't a fan of shopping in the beginning.  It seemed to be something she learned to accept was spending time in a dressing room.  I just ordered her a beautiful orange collar with the engraving:  Cricket:  Proud to be a retired guide dog from guide dogs for the blind.

Thanks for all your sweet emails, comments, and calls in cheering us on in this next phase of our journey.

We are transitioning her to our beloved retired guide and increasing her bond with Steve.  How?  Now that Cricket is not working, Steve has begun to feed Cricket.  Generally, as a working guide the handler is the one that feeds the guide so up until Sunday I fed her each day.

She has accompanied me to my office the past two days.  Tomorrow I have a shorter day at work so I will leave her home to begin to get her used to a little more alone time.  I think she would be fine no matter what ... this transition is probably more for me.

I received word that I will be returning to GDB for my next guide in April!  This will give Cricket and I the time to make this transition and our hearts will be open and ready to greet Sweet Guide 3 when this time comes.  In the meantime, we are transitioning and will always celebrate my amazing Crickers!

A new phase of our journey

I wanted to share a part of the beautiful gift of a guide dog that isn't so easy. Retirement. After serving as my guide dog for almost seven years, Cricket has communicated recently she is ready to begin retirement planning. I recognized it clearly about a week ago, after a super busy day at the office, she just wasn't into going to an evening event. I felt the pain - I thought ... really? No - can you work for another couple years, I asked her? She seemed to be saying ...I am so loyal and devoted to you that I can keep on trying but ... Her love, service, and loyalty are inspiring. However, I recognize that it is my time to give her the gift of a beautiful retirement. Cricket has had an incredible career and has touched many, many lives.

I am so grateful for the incredible support of Guide Dogs for the Blind in helping us navigate this process. As you can imagine, this transition comes with many emotions - mostly deep gratitude for Cricket and everyone involved.

I am so grateful that Cricket and I have the gift to do some planning in this transition. She is very healthy and happy. She hopefully has many great years left to enjoy life and share her love. She has given 100+% as my guide dog.  She also has been a beautiful, compassionate companion loved by so many. She has had an incredible busy, active life as a guide dog.

We have the blessing of this being a transition over the next couple months. She will continue to work part-time - travel with me on a couple more trips, go to my office and other meetings, and also transition into more time off harness.  A retirement party both at our office ... home and on our blog :) will be planned. Cricket and I both love celebrations! I see her having an incredible second career as a therapy dog or perhaps another line of work :) or perhaps she will just enjoy being pampered at home. We shall see ... we are taking it a day at a time and listening to what her sweet heart says.  She will let me know. My job is to listen. I've done it for seven years as she's guided me safely throughout the country in so many beautiful, amazing experiences.

In the meantime, the picture below is a sweet memory of Cricket and Steve helping me get all the items from Costco for our Annual Grief and the Holidays Event two years ago.

Thank you for your support and following the journeys of Cruisin with Cricket. To be continued :). Hope you have a lovely weekend! We have dinner plans with friends both nights which Cricket will join.

Happy day, Cricket

My dear Cricket,

It has been six years since we were placed together at Guide Dogs for the Blind and began our training in Boring, Oregon.  Time flies.  We are a perfect match.  I wish I could just keep you as an energetic, healthy 7 1/2 year old and me as an energetic 48 year old :)!  We will both age together as we do everything together.

Thank you for your example of love.  How often I hear in a day ... wow, what  a sweet dog.  You radiate such love and kindness.  Your example of being present in the moment and greeting those you meet with a wag of the tail and your love (when your harness is off) is inspiring.

You also are an incredible guide dog.  As we say, you just kind of pull it off.   I love how you take it all in stride ... noisy traffic, no problem; lots of children around, no problem; going for a long walk, no problem; a busy day at the office that means you hang out on your bed, no problem.

Today as each day I am celebrating our bond we share.  Oh, the many miles and adventures we have had together! I look forward to many, many more!

So much more I could say but we need to 'go' so I will say, Cricker girl, forward.

Much love,  Becky

Sorry for fuzzy picture - on our way  with Steve to share at a fireside.  

On our way

We are about ready to leave to go to City Creek - Ann Taylor. Can you believe all our snow! Steve often wears something special of his dad's when he goes to an important event where he wants that little extra 'support'. I love this skirt that Steve gave me for Christmas with Natalie's help. They will be there in spirit cheering me on. I also love to put on my pantera/cricket charm bracelet. We have been through much as 'teams'. I also have on my See Beautiful necklace that I love! This turquoise sweater is old but it also has good memories. It reminds me of sitting down with the department head in my master's program and telling him my dream of having a private practice. He cheered me on :). In the basket are educational materials from Guide Dogs for the Blind. I look forward to sharing and perhaps even having one of them put on a pair of goggles and learn how you can navigate with a cane ... and a guide dog. Fun :)!

Have a great weekend!

GDB Fall Luncheon

My dear friend, Debi, and I had the opportunity to share our story this past Friday for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Fall Luncheon in Oregon.  Such a special experience that I will treasure forever. (Short version:  Debi and I met 13 years ago when my first guide, Pantera, had to have surgery.  Debi was the angel that cared for her during this critical recovery time.  She shared email/phone call updates with me and we formed a beautiful friendship.  Isn't that an amazing blessing amongst a challenging experience!)

We were each able to share about our special relationship and the gratitude we feel for Guide Dogs.  I shared some stories that brought some laughter and even some tears from the audience about the impact of a guide dog in my life.    

I am blessed with incredible support - my husband and parents joined me for the trip.  

So very grateful that dear friends and my first guide's puppy raisers, Meg and Peggy joined us!  So wonderful to see them and share my gratitude to them and all the puppy raisers.  THANK YOU!   

Wish we could have gotten a picture of all the support that was there from our tables!  Thank you!  

The next day we just enjoyed being together and having some fun adventures :)! 

Steve, Becky, Debi, Steve & Cricket in Portland

Thank you to Steve and Debi for a wonderful weekend.

Thank you to Guide Dogs for the Blind for two beautiful guides and so much more!

A day of Educating on Guide Dogs

We spent a little time today at Petco sharing information on Guide Dogs for the Blind. One of the cards shared says: to Donate $10 text GDB to 20222. What an easy way to support a great organization that offers this amazing gift free of charge to people throughout the US and Canada who are blind. Another bookmark shared has some fun Did you know? Guide Dogs for the Blind was created in 1942 to aid servicement blinded in WWII. Happy 70th GDB!

This evening we enjoyed the Musical 9 to 5 at Hale Theatre with Cricket being a good girl lying quietly by my feet. The man sitting next to Steve had many questions about Cricket. It was pretty special to hear Steve telling him all about the process and how special our guides are. It was fun to share in what was a day of educating.
Steve and I ran three miles today. Next Saturday at this time our Marathon will be complete!

Hot, Happy Puppy

We enjoyed a day at Zions National Park this weekend.  They have some nice paved trails that work well for us to join in.   Cricket was welcomed warmly by the bus drivers infact, one of the drivers used to live near the Guide Dog Campus and remembers a dog name Angel.  As Cricket was lying there by my feet and everyone was getting on and off with her not moving -- she commented on her level of trust - to lie so still :). 

Walking gave the feet and legs a few days to rest from running.  This is our big week in running: 40 (10, 5, 5, 20)  with 4 weeks until the marathon!

We enjoyed this sign:  Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.  Native American Proverb.

We found a couple pictures to hang in our house here .  Fun that David, the photographer, was there and so inviting.  He offered Cricket some water (she was fine had just had some outside).  He said - she is welcome to wander around and if she breaks something no problem.  I said you are so kind but she will stay right by me in your beautiful gallery!     

Following her journey

A good friend is in training for her second guide. I read her posts and can so relate to her journey. I look forward to seeing her and meeting her new guide in September. Follow her here .

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!

Such Goodness

A week ago I had a  a difficult experience.   In that moment I felt so alone.  In the past week I have been amazed at the outpouring of support.  I am inspired by the goodness that has abounded.   Because of so many examples, I am reminded to not just sit back when something happens to someone else that isn't okay, but to take a stand.  Our voice matters.  Thank you to those who shared the important message of the Americans with Disabilities Act with others.  Thank you to all who let me know that inspite of preferring to be quiet, encouraged me to take a stand to speak out - to be a voice.  This wasn't about me - this was about all of us.  Accessibility.  Respect. Equality.  It is for each of us.  I am determined to make a further difference.   

I wish we could all sit outside and enjoy some  lemonade on this beautiful Friday afternoon and celebrate that hopefully in light of this difficult experience some good has come with much work to be done.  We have heard from long-time friends, previous colleagues, strangers that have reached out that now feel like friends. Seeing the numbers that read the various blogs lifted us, and it is our hope that further education will benefit many happened. Each of your comments brightened our day and helped us to continue to be assertive.

Updates:  Ann Taylor has reached out.  I have spent much time talking with them and helping them understand the seriousness of the mistakes not just for me but for so many others.  I explained how disheartening it was for people to take the time from their busy lives to submit a comment and then to have a incorrect response back from their headquarters.   They have acknowledged they made some big mistakes.  They are working on making that right through future education to their employees and giving back to an incredible organization. I encouraged them to spread the message to all their employees and pay it forward.   I hope I have more to share as real results and action happen.

Some of you have asked about Cricket.  In the KSL clip, she is walking with a pink bandage on her foot.  She tore her nail last Saturday evening and had a minor surgery to take care of the problem.  She is recovering and doing very well.  Thanks for your love for her, too.  She is an incredible soul and guide dog.

Tonight we went out to dinner.  After taking our orders, the waiter said the manager will be over.  For a minute, I experienced panic uh oh, would I be asked to leave!  Of course not!  He didn't even make a comment about my guide dog.  No big deal, she was lying under the table. The manager was coming over to scratch off our card to learn how much savings we would get on our dinner :).  I smiled as I enjoyed my strawberry lemonade!  I also recognized it will take some time for me to settle back in and remember that indeed Cricket and I have the right to follow our dreams in so many ways including entering any stores that we choose.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thank you again.  I hope there is more good to share soon.

Ann Taylor Journey

I'm reflecting on how to put an experience of yesterday into words.  I started my day with a low vision appointment.   If you haven't noticed, I am a little determined ... make that a lot determined :) to make sure I am utilizing any of the tools/skills that will help me lead an independent life as a woman who is blind.  I didn't really have any expectations on this appointment, but it turned into an awesome experience (for another post).  

After this appointment, Steve had picked me up and was on a conference call.  I whispered to him -- can we stop at the Ann Taylor store :). We were nearby City Creek and I have been wanting to visit the new Ann Taylor store.  There is an upcoming birthday girl that I was hoping to find a little something, and also just might find something fun for me to take on our trip.  Steve parked near the entrance to stay on his call while I walked into the store.  From a quick shopping excursion with Natalie I knew close to the proximity of where it was located.  Cricket and I navigated into the store.  I was so excited.  Unfortunately, I was greeted by a clerk with her first words indicating I needed to leave the store with my dog.  I politely explained that she was a guide dog and allowed to be here.   She indicated again dogs were not allowed and she would need to talk to her store manager.  I began to feel like my exciting find of the Ann Taylor store was not going so well.  Unfortunately, the manager also was not too helpful and indicated that dogs were not allowed.   I knew there were other people there as well, and I felt really alone.  No one stood up and said, this is a guide dog she can be in this store.  I again explained she was a guide dog and allowed to be here.  At this point, I found myself just wanting to leave and go to another store where I was welcome.  I turned and said, Cricket outside.  Its not been the easiest of past few weeks and I couldn't do anymore.  I walked out feeling pretty sad.  One of the clerks came out after me and said she was sorry, she liked dogs.  I explained that it isn't about whether one likes or doesn't like dogs.  Cricket is my guide dog and thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act she is allowed to enter Ann Taylor and any other public place that we want to go.  She is  my eyes.  I called Steve.  As so often is the case, I said where are you and he was walking toward me :).  He gave me a hug as I told him what had happened.  I began to cry.  I walked into Limited, and they were super friendly and helpful.  I found some really fun clothes for our upcoming trip.   Steve walked back to Ann Taylor and in his calm way educated them about a guide dog and also indicated they had also kicked out a very loyal, frequent shopper who had a closet full of their clothes!  Perhaps, because I was alone.  Perhaps, because I have been recovering from an injury.  Perhaps, because I was so excited to go to this store and then to have such a different experience -- it  left me pretty shaken.  It is a difficult experience to be treated so rudely and told to leave.   I am happy to educate -- not a big deal to explain she is a guide dog, even show identification if necessary but to explain, educate and then to still be told to leave in 2012 is thankfully very rare, however reminds me there is still education to be done.  I recall when this happened 15 years ago at a grocery store with my first guide and the police were called!  In the end it provided a wonderful opportunity to educate the managers of that store chain.  I would love to turn this difficult experience into an opportunity to educate those at Ann Taylor so this experience doesn't happen for anyone else.
               
In the end, I have had many more positive experiences at Ann Taylor than this discrimatory one.  However, I hope they will use this experience to educate their employees of the role of service animals.  They are not only welcome in their store but by law required to be allowed in their store.  If you have experienced this type of situation, you understand indeed what a traumatizing experience it is - and this time to be alone was even more challenging.

8/2013 Update:  Over the past year I have had many opportunities to educate further about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  In January, I had the wonderful experience to return to Ann Taylor and meet with all their employees.  I am grateful for this experience and the people that I have met in this journey.  Ann Taylor extended their hand and even generously supported a Guide Dogs for the Blind event.  I shop at this store frequently again and am grateful for their wonderful customer service.  The lemonade of this experience is perhaps that many more people are aware of the ADA, Guide Dogs for the Blind and perhaps even that a blind woman can enjoy shopping :).  

Culmination of a Great Day

Our day started bright and early for us arriving at theBYU studio  for a radio interview at 7:20 am. This was a new experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of sharing along with a puppy raiser the journey of a guide dog. I meant to take my camera so Steve could take a quick picture with us in radio interview mode.

Steve and I enjoyed a little breakfast at one of our favorites - Cornerstone Bakery. I then enjoyed meeting two dear friends since childhood for lunch and chatting. I meant to have my camera to get a picture of us enjoying time together.


Back to the office for some appointments.   Followed by returning home to be greeted by our cute little visitor for the night.

Some of my colleagues attended a mindful seminar today.  It didn't fit in the schedule for me to join them.  It sounded great, however, and had me reflecting on one of my mindful quotes:  

It is just simple attention that allows us to truly listen to the sound of the bird, to see* deeply the glory of an autumn leaf, to touch the heart of another and be touched.  Feldman and Kornfield

(*I would add -- have you touched and felt an autumn leaf)

Seeing Beautiful

We enjoyed a beautiful hike this past weekend as a family. This is one of the lookouts to enjoy our beautiful city. I enjoyed experiencing my family enjoying the view. Kendall is nearby reflecting ... out of camera range. There are many ways to experience the beautiful view. Listen to the sounds. Experiencing the moment with my family. Smelling the joys of the outdoors. Feeling the slight breeze blowing. It was a little chilly as we climbed.

Cricket is posing in this next picture to share her beautiful tag that says:  See Beautiful.  We do.  It was such a special treat to get to spend a wonderful lunch with this beautiful woman and friend in Atlanta last month.  I am touched by her passion and sharing such a beautiful message.  What a special privilege to get to write a post for her blog here: http://seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2012/05/on-seeing-beautiful.html

Getting a little time this morning to work in the garden is beautiful.  The picture below is with Cricket in harness in front of our friendship garden.  It needs a little love right now.  It is full of perennials and rocks shared from friends in our old neighborhood and even from our old house.  It helped to feel like we brought a little of the love from our last neighborhood here!  

Sometimes I'm asked how I garden blindly.  I have found various tips helpful throughout the years.  I try to carry all my gardening tools in a bucket to keep track of them.  I also have one of Mimi's pouches that I love  that I carry my phone and a few dog treats and I used to carry little note pad with a big marker so I can write down if I think of something -- however, these days I use my iphone to simply record myself a note.  Have I mentioned how much I love my iphone and ipad :).    

Isn't my helper in the garden beautiful? 

Have a beautiful day!

Gotta Blog

We ran 10 miles this morning. So awesome - such fun and a sense of accomplishment. I am so touched by my friends willingness to run with me. We just beat the downpour of rain.

I laughed at my crazy morning -- so many phone calls, getting a staff lunch ready (mostly cooking through Plates and Palates -- yummy and yay for their Coconut Cake being on the menu today!), phone calls for this story about Guide Dogs.Then, I thought - oh, I've gotta blog - the laundry can wait :). Hope you have a great day!

Attention Dog Owners

I am so saddened that two guide dog teams in Utah were recently attacked by loose dogs.  I can only imagine the trauma to both guide and handler of these teams.  From www.guidedogs.com:

Loose dogs can be a significant threat to guide dog  teams.  An attack on a guide dog can be costly in terms of veterinary care, retraining, replacement, emotional trauma and loss of mobility for the person who is blind.  Please don't take chances with others' safety.

Why are loose or aggressive dogs a liability to Guide Dog teams?  

A guide dog that is attacked or intimidated by an aggressive or unruly pet dog may become damaged or traumatized for life and be unable to work as a guide.  An attack can also take a hug emotional toll on the dog's handler.  In many states, laws are being introduced which protect Guide Dog handlers and their dogs from attack and harassment by errant dogs and people.  Irresponsible dog owners can be held financially liable for the actions of their unsupervised pets, and may be accountable for the replacement costs for the guide dog.  Under certain circumstances the pet owner can also be incarcerated for up to six months.

What are some tips for being a responsible dog owner?  


- Please do not allow your pet dog to roam freely in your neighborhood or to be unsupervised in an unfenced yard.  Educate your family about how to prevent your pet from escaping from your yard and roaming in your neighborhood.  Self-closing gates can be the answer to keeping your dog at home.
- If you have your dog on leash, make sure that he is under control.  Do not allow your dog to be walked by a person who is not strong enough to control or restrain him.
- Learn about canine behavior and take obedience classes with your pet dog.  Be sure your dog is well socialized around other animals and people.
- Be aware of your own dog's temperament and potential for biting.  Even an overly friendly pet that jumps on people or other dogs can cause serious problems.  Dogs are often territorial in their own yards, and sometimes even beyond the boundaries of their own homes.  Irresponsibility or apathy in this regard may cost you dearly!
 - When choosing a pet dog, research the breed before you bring the dog home.  Some breeds require more exercise, attention, control and leadership than others.  Although any dog or breed of dog can become aggressive, there are certain breeds that are more prone to problematic behavior than others.
- Be aware of your city and county leash laws and obey them.
- Take pride in being a responsible, intelligent, and capable pet owner.

A dog wearing a harness with a handle is at work helping its blind partner travel safely.  Please keep pets away.  Always ask before attempting to interact with a guide dog.

By law, obstructing a working guide can result in up to $50,000 in fines.  If your pet is overly friendly and regularly jumps on people or other dogs, it could cause permanent trauma or injury to a guide dog.

If you are a witness to an attack on a guide dog team, you can assist by noting the description and location of the attacking dog.  Please do your part to protect working guide dogs for the blind.

Typical Tuesday for Guide Dog, Cricket

Tuesday is generally a little lighter day for us. We usually don't work on Tuesday evening as it seems like often there is another commitment. There are not as many of my colleagues in the office on Tuesday so Cricket spends some time at this post watching for our next client. It gives her a good view of the office. She can keep track of the front door, my office, and manage the group room, too.

We walked up to Dick's Market today and as my colleagues know, when February comes I just yearn for flowers in the office.  I carried two plants with blooming flowers to put in the office.  Yes it is a little tricky to carry the plants with my guide dog.  Cricket and I have our ways and the clerks knows  to give us a nice bag that can go over my shoulder.  As we walked back there is a parking lot entry that we pass.  I heard this car back up so Cricket felt okay that it was safe.  I waved and thanked him/her (who knows?) with a smile and found myself reflecting on all the simple, small gestures of kindness that people do for each other when we notice. 

Tonight Cricket and I spoke in our Relief Society on Loving Ourselves.  I enjoy doing it and felt the love and warmth from so many.   The theme was Love Me, Love me Lots and different lessons on Loving Ourselves, Loving our Families, and Loving our Neighbors.  This basket in the picture is our basket of things that nurture our heart.  It felt like a good visual aid until I walked over carrying it - a little heavy!  Cricket was very aware that we needed to walk carefully and slowly. 

It was special to have Natalie join me a little later.

What nurtures you and fills you up?   

A Simple Day in the Life of Cricket

I thought I would give Cricket a break from posing with me in outfits :) and talk about her work! We reminisced last night at our office party as there was one of my colleagues that joined the office the same time as Cricket.

Five years ago this month, I was getting ready to return to Guide Dogs for the Blind for my second guide dog. Pantera had retired in September, after nine years as a guide. She had settled in nicely to the role of Steve's pet. I spent a few months back walking with a cane and was so excited to be returning to GDB to meet my new guide dog! The memory of an excited dog with the name of Cricket greeting me with such love will always be a sweet memory.

Today, Cricket started her day off with a trip to Costco.   Basically in a big store like this she is aware of the direction that Steve is going (follows). He gives me verbal clues so that I can tell Cricket - left, right, inside, outside.  We were all happy that we arrived just as it was opening and beat the craziness of Costco on a Saturday. 

She then ventured to my office - her second home for a short time to pick up some things.  We returned home and I had some Alumni Board Meetings (conference call) so she was off duty for a few hours.  Then, she had her annual appointment with the vet.  She's had an easy, healthy year.  Thank you!  Vet report:  She has gained four lbs.  He gently told her she could lose a few.  We'll cut back her portions and go on a few more walks. Its for the best, Cricket.  She also has a chipped tooth and a growth on her back that he wants to test further.  Most likely nothing but they will take care of it all and clean her teeth.  Sweet girl had to have a doctor's note to get a day off. She'll  get her medical needs met on the 21st :).   

Then, Cricket attended Kendall's table tennis tournament.  Fairly straight forward - find the door, find the chair, avoid some obstacles.   Go Kendall.  He was playing strong for his Aggies!  3-0.

This evening - dinner at a family member's house.  She'll go and hang out on her fleece then go to bed not knowing what tomorrow will bring! 

Mingling. Retinitis Pigmentosa

Steve and I recently attended an enjoyable evening with one of the organizations he belongs to with his employment. Another one is coming this Saturday evening. I will probably wear the dress I wore to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Holiday Luncheon. Cricket will probably change out into a black collar or maybe keep on her silver. We'll see what her mood is for the evening :).

Mingling and Retinitis Pigmentosa are not the easiest combination.  There are many visual cues that people catch in this type of social setting that I simply miss.  Its so much easier with a cane or guide dog as others have an easy visual cue that I am blind.  I recall one dinner several years ago that we were attending.  For some reason I didn't have my guide dog with me, cane was in my purse (its pretty unhelpful there) and a gentleman came up to me and started visiting and apparently he was holding his hand out to shake mine.   Steve saw the situation unfolding and helped us out of this awkward moment that I was unaware that it was an awkward moment.   Mingling is a part of life with church, work, social situations. 

Some of my tips are:  *Smile and be friendly and generally people will come talk to me rather than me finding someone, *Engage in the conversation - get to know them, *If it is an event where I know others, I may say to someone I am visiting with -- have you seen so and so, can you help me find so and so.  This becomes a natural break in moving on to mingling.  *Reach out my hand first to shake hands.  Let the other person find my hand.   *Brief introduction of Cricket so we can move on with the conversation and other topics.  However, she is often an intriguing topic for others that haven't had an experience with a guide dog and I am happy to share her amazingness.  Recently at a dinner with a table of people that had never met a guide dog before, the question came up - now just what does your guide dog do for you.  That was a conversation for a while on Cricket's amazingness :).

Preference is to sit down with a group of friends at a table and enjoy an evening, but I know mingling is part of so many events and although its a little challenging, I wouldn't miss.  We have fun. 

Guide Dogs for the Blind Holiday Luncheon

We just returned from the GDB Holiday Luncheon in San Francisco. It was a very special event and my heart is full of gratitude.  I will share more ... for now a few pics (because I seem to enjoy much more blogging about travels than doing the laundry  that comes with a trip). 

Very grateful for a supportive husband, incredible parents and my amazing aunt and uncle that joined us as well.  Wow.  I am touched by their kindness. 

Supportive texts, emails, blog comments from my sweet family and friends meant the world to me. 

Thank you.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.