Cricket Reflections

My colleague's refer to Cricket as the mascot of our office. She takes this second job :) seriously ... hanging out in the doorspace of the group room to watch those who enter the office as well as keep an eye on those in the breakroom.  I hear repeatedly throughout the day - the joy that Cricket brings in our office.  Today it was the two of us alone in the office - a break between clients and here she was in her space. I stopped and found myself just relishing in this sweet moment.   In the past seven years - she has been in this space during a break in clients so so many times.  I reflected on the growth that both Cricket and I have experienced in the past seven years.  I reflected on our walk up to Dick's Market probably a month or so after returning home from our training 7 years ago when I felt it and said -- Cricket we are in sync ... we are an amazing team. We were in the flow together.

I found myself extremely grateful that we can have a transition - she is easing into retirement.  She seems to understand that I got her two month notice :) - will be retiring in February.   It has me reflecting on Pantera's retirement party 7 1/2 years ago.  She was so funny.  She wore her Happy Retirement Hat all night and greeted all the friends and family who came to celebrate her years of service.  The years fly so quickly and here we are beginning to plan Cricket's retirement party.  Details to follow ... In the meantime, cherishing the moments of walking with my girl both on and off harness and refreshing my cane skills.

Becky and Cricket (both younger :), 2007

Transitioning

Cricket stayed home while we went to church for the first time without her! As I am transitioning her into retirement, it was a good time to leave her home. It is cold and icy sidewalks.  She seemed very happy to say .. you guys go on without me :). I sat there feeling like a part of me was missing! I have enjoyed church with a guide dog for over 16 years except for the six month transition time with my last guide, Pantera retiring before Cricket joined us.  We returned home and I was greeted with a warm, happy kiss.

Last night Steve and I stopped at my office to clean and get the office organized for the upcoming short week :). We actually really enjoy this aspect of owning our own business. Cricket always accompanies us.  I told her even if she is transitioning out of guide work - her role as superviser of office cleaning is not changing anytime soon! She is funny. Our office has two floors. While we are cleaning upstairs, she stays at the bottom of the stairs and supervises. While we clean the downstairs -- this picture is her pose as she supervises.  When she sees the trash bags by the door she comes running down.  She seems to know then it is time to go. Smart girl.

Are we done yet ?

We are off to visit some friends and go to Bible Street.  It is a lovely little street in Salt Lake City that tells the Christmas story with lights and signs.  Cricket and Kendall will join us.  

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!

Surprise

My sweet colleagues surprised me with breakfast and fun gifts this morning. Lisa had invited me for breakfast - what I didn't know was that the rest of them were there to join us as well! Love. them. I tell you a January birthday is fun to keep having some surprises and fun things to look forward to!

We laughed that its easy to pull off a surprise with me (being blind). I was there signing some papers for a student that will be interning at our office. I told her we could meet here because I wasn't going to be in the office. While I was signing the papers, my friends were gathering nearby ready to surprise with me unaware. Love it!

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!

Be kind

As my last client left this evening, I said to her, Be kind to yourself.   As if all the pain that had come her way wasn't enough, she was then beating herself up.  Ouch.  As Cricket and I (we are a team in all :) closed up and gathered up the trash from the various offices,  I paused on the tissues used in each office and the emotional pain they represented.   Be kind to yourself sounds so simple almost a cliche... not so easy at times, right.  It can be helpful to write a letter of support to yourself.  You want me to do what?  I hear such amazing words of kindness when we do sit down and write ourselves a letter of support and wow, such words of wisdom in what to do.  Have you tried it?

Fashion and Communicating

Just a few things that made me smile today: Wearing my fun mustard pants that Steve gave me for Christmas. They bring a smile as I think of Natalie helping Steve with his purchases -- they did well! Fun! I have some gloves the same color. I'm excited to wear the sweater and skirt, too. She gave me a black purse that I LOVE!! It has a place for everything and some super fun gloves.

Today one of my colleagues shared some things going on in her life. I listened intently (so I thought) and then she said, Thank you - you are like a wall. I said, what (thinking in my mind communicating like a brick wall is not a good thing) She said, I know what I share with you will stay with you just like a wall - it doesn't go anywhere. We laughed at our different meanings for this phrase, and I reassured her with that meaning I was like a wall :). Its been some time since I've been able to read my writing. I've been working on writing thank you notes. Its become a most interesting experience and still find the writing guides to be the most helpful. I refer back to Mrs. Johnson - third grade where we spent hours with our flowing circles to learn cursive. Can you believe it is almost another weekend! Heavy snowfall - our plans to go south have been postponed :(. Its all good :).

Too Cute

If you've read my blog, you know that I am an, LPC,  individual, marriage, and family therapist. I feel it is a privilege to have 'work' that I enjoy so much. I work mostly with adolescents and adults who are experiencing grief and loss.  I also enjoy Positive Psychology and am super excited for a course that I will be teaching in January.   At times I work with children as well. Recently, I had a call from a mom who felt that I would be a good fit for her daughter. We scheduled an appointment and she came in. Generally, I give a quick explanation of Cricket in the corner/blindness and then we get down to business. This young lady was very interested in my vision - or lack thereof and said: "So, you can't see me, would it be helpful if I drew you a picture of what I looked like!"  Actually I often ask young clients to draw a picture and share so this worked great :).  She then asked - so do you know what you look like?  I explained that no I didn't see myself in the mirror - she said, well, you are pretty cute for your age :).  That's probably better than the mirror would tell me!  

Sweet Cricket

Cricket and I are very close with my colleagues. One of my dear friends/colleagues is going through a difficult time. She asked if we could visit before our staff meeting. She was so touched by Cricket - who was lying down when she came into the room - picked up on her pain and walked up and gently sat close to her the whole time we were visiting. At one point she even offered her paw. She reminded us both of how much it means when someone just sits by us in our pain.

She shared: Amongst the swirling thoughts it stands out to me how in tune Cricket was with my inner vibes of desperation. Often because of my work, people will ask me what they can do in different situations when someone is going through a hard time. Cricket reminded me once again the power of being present with someone and listening and sitting with them and then checking in again. I can tell you the next time she sees this colleague she will be very aware of her and want to know how she is doing. Cricket I learn so much from you beyond when it is safe to cross the street! As we begin this month of emphasis on Gratitude, I am so very grateful for you, Cricket and the way you bless not only my life but many others.

Random

This little clip will bring a smile!  Thank you, See Beautiful for sharing and have us reflecting on What I am.

What I am ... energetic today.  We are tapering down getting ready for the marathon on the 15th!  Three miles in the morning.  After not running for two days I have had so much energy today.  One of my colleagues asked me today - can you please share your energy :).   Our office hums along on Wednesdays with most of my colleagues there - what fun we have together.  Such a privilege!  

When we go to our home in St. George we often do some shopping.  I'm not sure why going to Target is so much more fun there :).  Perhaps life is just going at a slower, relaxed pace there.  One of the projects for this visit was to decorate above our cabinets.   This basket is the bargain of the day!  Steve's basket regularly 39.99 priced at 3.99 (90% off)!  Other bargain - Gap Long and Lean Jeans - $12 -- one of my favorites.  Steve is super patient as is Cricket :) one of my requests was to walk through the mall with him describing what is in for Fall!  Purple/yellow was one of the combos so I had fun pulling out my yellow shoes for this outfit.  The nights are getting shorter with Fall in the air.  I'm told the leaves are changing.  Football season is here.  For the most part, I love our season changes.   Anyone else looking forward to pulling out those sweaters?  I just wish it didn't get cold.  

My Cricket

Yesterday I went into an appointment in a confusing house turned offices.  Leaving the appointment I was a little lost on how I had gotten in there!  I said Cricket outside. in hopes that she would know the way! She did not let me down.  She weaved through the offices, found the stairs downstairs and we were outside. I stopped and thought ... 15 years of working with two incredible guides does not make this moment any less. When we were outside, I gave her a hug and a kibble/treat.  She earned that little kibble.  We walked further to catch the bus and came upon the sidewalk sale in our cute little town and lost track of time a bit.  We walked to the other side to the post office, and as we crossed we could hear the bus.   I was hopping he knew we were trying to catch the bus.  I waved and thankfully, he waited for us to cross.  So nice.  

Like us all, right, Cricket has many roles to play.  Guide Dog is top, but she also takes her role as therapy dog very serious in the office.   Her harness is off and she is on her bed and able to get up and come to a client if they would like and she gets the okay from me. Today she was on her bed when a new client came ... at the conclusion of the session she said I just don't think I would have been able to open up as much if your dog hadn't of been here.   Thank you Cricket for all you do in a day.  

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  We have raspberries ... jam to make, perhaps this weekend!  They are just so yummy to eat.  Five miles in the morning to run.  That sounds so doable, now.

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.

A Good Day

I had my first full day scheduled at work today after the concussion and was a little concerned about managing it with the unpredictability of how I have been feeling.  When Steve picked me up this evening, he indicated I didn't look 'glazed' :).  It was awesome to not feel glazed either.  I did pretty well with a full day and was thrilled.  I was able to go to lunch with a colleague and later had a break that worked perfectly to get pedicures with another colleague.  Running ... biking ... indeed they will be reopened in time.  I've got a couple days off now to get ready for a party and do some more 'resting'.  Its all good.

I bought this dress a few weeks ago with Natalie.  I smiled throughout the day laughing at our fun memories giggling in the dressing rooms together and me getting lost in the store when we were in such a hurry.

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 :)!

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)

"Crazy Cool"

I left work Friday evening and told Steve - I love my work. Some days it just hits on what an amazing privilege this is ... how beautiful it is to see family members reunited.

Earlier that day I returned to Apple for some help on getting texting back on my ipad. So helpful to be able to use the keyboard. One associate was puzzled on why I was receiving texts but unable to send. He called over another associate who was also puzzled and then you could feel the lightbulb moment when he said ... I had a lady from Wyoming with this same problem! He then knew just what to do! Thank you lady in Wyoming. I am now receiving and sending texts through my ipad once again.

After our little Apple session while waiting for Steve to pick us up, we sat down and enjoyed a sugar cookie with raspberry frosting. Amazingly yummy. I paused for a moment with my little guide by my feet, sun shining and just felt gratitude.

That evening as we walked out of Cafe Rio (that place is a little stressful with the noise and all its people but love their soup), through this group of teen boys one of them said - That is a crazy cool dog! I smiled.  Indeed.

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!

Therapist's Thoughts on Thursday

A few answers to some of the questions I am asked frequently about my profession:

What do you do? I am the business owner, director, and licensed professional counselor of an office which has nine amazing therapists, an accountant/bookkeeper and me. Our practice is in its seventh year and is busy. My favorite comments are when someone indicates - it feels so calm/serene/peaceful here. An intern recently said, I want to work in a place like this -- everyone is so nice to each other. I feel very fortunate to have such a great group of people on our team.
How does your blindness impact your work? Really very minimal - other than coordinating rides to the office and having print/detail read. There is an awareness in the office to keep things cleared. I walk out and greet my client and we go back to my office. We process their journey and Cricket is in the corner of the office. Yesterday after seeing a client for several months, I dropped a paperclip. She helped me find it and indicated - that is the first time that it has been evident to me that you can't see. Office management - I really enjoy this aspect of my job. I have a colleague that is amazing with the details and paperwork and keeps us running smooth. I love planning office events that keep us connected and supporting one another.
Are your clients blind? I spent several years working at the Moran Eye Center with patients who were blind or had a degenerative eye condition and were losing their eyesight.  I enjoyed this position very much.    For the past eight years I have worked in an agency and in my own private practice where on occasion I have had a client who was blind but 98% of my clients are not blind or visually impaired. However, I have enjoyed the clients that I get to see who might happen to be blind. My specialty is Grief/loss/trauma and work with all ages who are experiencing losses in their life. I think my youngest client has been three and my oldest 89. I also enjoy working with people who are experiencing the effects of depression and anxiety. I love implementing the work of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion and Positive Psychology.
How did you go to school? Like anyone who completes an advanced degree ... lots of hard work. There were times of being creative with transportation, getting textbooks on tape (okay, I'm dating myself, I know :), readers for the tests, and simply being innovative in getting the job done. Determination and persistence are important attributes whether blind or not, in grad school. I enjoy having interns at our office to help them have experience and also encourage them that they can do it!
How did you believe you could start your own business? I am grateful to have a super supportive husband that believed in me and helped me navigate some of the business aspects of the whole process. I had a therapist call me today asking for some business input ... I laughed and said, build it and they will come. I said its hard to put into words but if you have a passion and work hard, I believe it can happen.

I had the chance to speak yesterday to two of my mentors, who are blind and to thank them for some of their past wisdom which has helped me immensely. I recognize one of the tools they gave me that has helped the most was to help me to see that blindness does not define me -- it is one of many characteristics of mine.

Dress at our office is comfortable and casual. I usually look at my schedule for the day and dress more casual if I have clients who are kids, and I might be on the floor playing. I choose a little dressier if I have a meeting or adult clients. Today was a casual day with some sessions on the floor with kids. Cricket and I enjoyed a walk up to the Market where we picked up some lovely smelling flowers for the office and eclairs for a birthday celebration. Some accessories about this outfit that I love: this little bracelet - had no idea how often I would wear it!  With all its colors, it seems to go with a lot of outfits. This necklace can be long or short, thanks Natalie for teaching me! These sandals are so comfortable. They pass the walking a few miles with Cricket test! I'm not sure if these colors go together but it just felt like a day to wear bright colors, so I did :). It was an early morning for Steve so I didn't get my visual okay from him.

Beautiful Weekend is Here

Some further notes from our travel to Atlanta. I recognize one reason I love travel is I go from feeling a bit overwhelmed in a new area and feeling totally lost to in a couple days learning the area and feeling very comfortable.  Its an adventure and victory. I've mentioned how well Cricket, my guide, did on the trip. She was focused and seems to recognize when this isn't familiar terrain for me.  I rely on her even more and she steps up.  There are often comments that bring a smile ... one said - Your dog is beautiful. She has Marilyn Monroe eyes. Getting off the elevator a little boy, seeing Cricket, said to his mom - Why again can't we bring Biggie with us?

I was so excited to get to spend a beautiful
lunch with Lydia .  (If you haven't read her blog and you'll find yourself Seeing Beautiful in new ways.) I'm wearing my beautiful necklace from her site as I type this :)! We met at the lobby of the hotel not having met before.  I felt instantly like I was off to lunch with a friend.  We spent a yummy lunch on a beautiful sunny day getting to know each other better and finding more and more that we had in common!  Cricket and I absolutely loved our time with her.  Thank you. 

An interesting bonus from the trip was this session at the conference:  Sight Unseen:  Grief and Vision Loss. Heather Marshall-Fleenor, shared her journey of vision loss.  I found myself saying -- ah, can relate to that experience ... yes,felt that emotion before.  She also had a degenerative eye condition so shared the experience of loss - adjusting - loss - adjusting.   Cricket is not shy :) so afterwards we went up and had a chance to visit with Heather.   

May you have a beautiful weekend.  We had snow this morning and now the weekend is expected to be sunny and warm.  Crazy, Utah Spring weather!   As I type this I recognize this is how my week felt ... much was spent dealing with flashy lights in vision - craziness of Retinitis Pigmentosa while juggling a busy week and now feels peaceful and sunny.