Wonderful times: Going grocery shopping with Mom and Moya

 

This is probably one of the highlights whenever I visit Mom. Yes, going grocery shopping with Mom and Moya.

We get into Ramlall’s car, which is hot because there is no air conditioner, and off we go. Then, soon enough we are at the supermarket.

Mom gets into her wheelchair and Ramlall goes off to get the shopping cart. Then I stand behind the wheelchair and Moya guides us into the supermarket.

For the next hour we traverse the aisles with Mom directing traffic.  She knows exactly what she wants and Moya goes off to fetch the desired items.

Ramlall helps and before you know it our shopping trip is over. Mom pays and then we leave the supermarket.

We buy lunch on the way home and then comes the hardest part of this outing. Mom changes into her home clothes and proceeds to her chair where she sits waiting for lunch. Moya unpacks the goods and Ramlall leaves while she is doing this. Then, finally our day of shopping is done.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

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Thank God for Stephie! The Amazon experience

 

Call me a lazy one but for me it is much easier to ask my friend Stephie to order for me.

Together, Stephie and I search Amazon for whatever I need. She describes it to me and together we make the decision as to what I would like her to order.

Stephie has become really good at understanding what my likes are. She describes things in detail to me and this is an advantage for me in that if I were to order on my own I would not always know how the product looks. So there is my excuse.  

Ordering via Amazon is nice and easy but I've just got to watch my spending.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

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This is what is missing! No patience at the store

That is exactly what I ran into when I visited a Bell phone store at my neighbourhood mall. The desk agent could not wait for me to explain my circumstances. He simply began to shout at me and told me to calm down. But lo and behold! I had barely begun to speak before his outburst!

Then, when I managed to tell him that I was vision impaired and could not drive to a store, he simmered down.

The world is fast becoming a place of less and less patience. And what do we do about it?
We can only do our part to slow the pace and then help to cool tempers.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Thank God I'm Canadian: Buying Canadian

This is what it has come to thanks to someone across the border deciding that tariffs are the way to punish those he is not happy with.

So, when Stephie and I go shopping, a bit more time is spent in making sure that we purchase as many made in Canada or Product of Canada products we can find.

It’s just my way of supporting my country.

This is a wake up call and if we all wake up now then we will survive.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Good old memories: In the mall again

 

Boy oh boy, I just cannot remember the last day I took a nice leisurely walk through this particular mall. What a treat and in very good company!

Mom in her wheelchair with Moya in attendance and Gayle and I walking together. It was a lovely day for doing this.

We shopped and then had lunch in the food court.

It felt so very good to simply have a relaxing few moments.

I just cannot remember the last time that I could do this. Everyone was in good spirits.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Refreshing! Going shopping for new glasses

I just cannot remember the last time that I went shopping for glasses. Maybe it was just before Covid when Mom bought me 2 pairs of glasses for my birthday.

We bought them at the Sears store at the Fairview Mall in North York. This time it was at a different mall. Mom, Gayle, and Mom’s care giver Moya were all spectators as the wonderful ladies at the optical outlet patiently helped us to choose 2 wonderful pairs of glasses.

It did not take very long and at the end of it all?  These 3 ladies and the attendants managed to change my appearance. At the end of the day I was very pleased.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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The new way:Shopping with Stephie on Amazon

 

It’s a new way of shopping for me. It’s very much like window shopping, if I am looking for some sort of comparison.

I tell Stephie what I would like her to search for. Then she gets online and goes to Amazon. She begins to search for my requested item.

Then, when she finds it she begins to describe it to me. I ask her for her opinion and together we choose. Stephie fills out the required fields and then she submits. Voila!  It is all done.

A new way for me to shop!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning, sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
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Yummy moments! New snacks discovered

I am always so very excited whenever I discover new snacks. As a person with a vision impairment, I appreciate this so much more whenever one of my sighted friends helps me to discover them.

Whenever I go shopping with Stephanie she is constantly on the lookout for me and sometimes she sure lands a home run!

The latest are those nuts sprinkled with poppy seeds and sesame seeds.  They are good for me as a diabetic and then she has found me some very yummy bags of dried fruits.  

I really appreciate this and do my level best to stay on track with my snacks.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

The new person in town: Trying on clothes with Stephie

At the best of times, trying on clothes before purchasing can sure be a difficult task. But, as long as I have the right person to help me, it can be a lot of fun!  

I readily admit that up until now I have been truly blessed and spoiled.  First I had Helena who helped me for so many years to do this and she was so good, especially when helping me to choose my suits and accessories for my business attire.

Then Mom came along to help me when I needed to update my closet and to choose more casual clothes.  However, after Covid came into the picture and there was no Helena and no Mom, I had to find someone new.

Now I have Stephanie who has done a wonderful job at helping me.  At first she was tentative but she soon gained confidence enough to voice her opinion and to make suggestions.  She has now made this task a new type of fun and is not afraid to seek feedback from the sales staff.

So I am still extremely fortunate and for me, as a vision-impaired person, it is important that I have sighted assistance when trying on new clothes.  

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Exciting times and great expectations: Choosing my suit for graduation

 Here is where I missed having Mom with me to choose my suit for my most important Graduation Day.  Nothing I could have done but to ask Stephie to help me and I will say that she did a super job of describing things to me and making sure that it fit.

A special suit for a very special day but without Mom to help and approve.  I prayed that everything would go well on this day and that the chosen suit would be good.

We went to the Laura’s store at the Fairview Mall and engaged a wonderful sales lady to help me.  Together the sales lady and Stephie worked diligently to help choose a suit for me.  Everything fitted well enough but I still missed having Mom around to give me the final nod of approval.  

We chose a tasteful dark blue pants suit with an inner off white blouse with eyelets.  It was folded very neatly by the sales lady and was now ready for me to pack in my suitcase.  The sales lady made sure that Stephie and I were able to have the use of a large fitting room and Stephie made sure that the sales lady had a look at whatever I tried on.  A day well spent!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Starting over: Trying on new shoes

At the best of times trying on new shoes is probably not one of my favourite things to do, but the pandemic period has taught me to have a better appreciation for this particular event.

I go shoe shopping with Stephanie and she makes it a lot of fun.  I tell her what I am looking for and what colour I am interested in.  I take her arm and we wander around the shoe store and as we walk she describes the shoes on the shelves, their styles, colours, and then it is time to get down to the real matter at hand.

Stephie finds a clerk and soon he/she is bringing me my right shoe size and colour that I would like to have.  I try it on and if I like the feel of it we then walk around the store to see how it feels and fits on my foot.

If all goes well then it is time to choose and then pay.  Stephie stands guard as I stand at the counter and watches carefully to ensure that the transaction goes through without a hitch.

Thank God for Stephie!  My precious pair of eyes!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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A refreshing experience: Acquiring new kitchen tools

I recently decided to acquire some new tools for my kitchen and they included:
A nifty food chopper which is easy to use and its size suits me very well.
A one-in-six opener which is easy to use and very flexible and versatile.
Rings for forming such things as pancakes and patties.
Mats for my microwave.
Sturdy clips for keeping opened bags closed.
A device that I can use to make patties in my microwave. You can make two at a time.
There was more but these were the highlights of my shopping spree.  

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

 

My memory lapse: Looking for the chocolate bar

 

On a pretty warm day, bathed in humidity, my beloved chocolate bar went missing on me.  I looked everywhere and sure enough!  I could not find it.

I had bought it a few hours earlier when I went shopping with Stephanie on my biweekly shopping trip.  I searched each and every shopping bag brought home from the supermarket.  I had searched my kitchen counter, the kitchen floor and then, finally!

I phoned Stephanie and she gently reminded me that I had stuck my chocolate bar in my purse on the way home.  What a relief and very funny!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Oh, my beloved plaza! The plaza never to forget

When I moved to Toronto over 30 years ago I was so very happy to discover that the little plaza on my street corner provided so much of every last minute commodity and service that I needed.

There was everything, from the corner grocery to the pharmacy.  The bakery and deli to the specialty food supermarket.  The laundry and dry cleaner to the doctor and dentist, the hairdressing salon and there was more.

Owners and employees were always so friendly, welcoming and always ready to help those of us who required assistance.  I loved them all and they welcomed me!  They were within walking distance of my condo and this was the absolute paradise for me; but now no more for me and so many others!

Thanks to greedy developers who do not care about the welfare of others, only their own bulging pockets, this little plaza is all but closed now.  Most of the businesses are all but gone!  It does not matter that one of our important neighbourhood centerpieces has been destroyed!  The hell with the welfare of seniors and those with disabilities.

I, along with others, have nowhere to go now.  No plaza close by for us to shop at.  Now we have to depend on our sighted friends and family to drive us elsewhere. I'll never forget you my beloved little plaza!  3079 Pharmacy Avenue!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Another strategy: A new way when differentiating with tins

This is one of the most difficult yet interesting challenges for me: making sure to differentiate when dealing with tins. If I do then I am fine and life is easy, but if I do not then life becomes a major horror and I need to spend hours finding what I am looking for.

The first thing is to make sure that I can find what I am searching for and this means that I need to be super organized.  In turn, I need to have a strategy as where to put my tins.  Labelling in Braille is the first strategy.  However, there is something else that must be taken care of before I can label in Braille.

Yes, this is being able to identify the tins when I bring them home from the supermarket.  Identification by size, by shaking them, and shape are all very important.  The important thing is to remember what I have bought and to be able to distinguish them.

My one big defense mechanism is if there are tins that are too difficult to distinguish because of very similar shape or size, I can either put elastics around one of them or make a small rip in the label.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan And like me on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

An enjoyable shopping trip: At Costco

I have visited this huge facility a few times now and I am always happy whenever I do so.  It does not matter that it is so huge. As long as I have sighted assistance and a friend to escort me, then it is okay.

The aisles are wide and the shelves are well-organized.  Things appear to be arranged in a logical order.  Sales persons are very helpful and knowledgeable.

All of this sure helps and even more so during the Covid. For me, as a vision-impaired customer, all of this is so very important whenever I seek an enjoyable shopping outing.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insur ethat the future of our kids with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Out of the mouth of babes! Tyler's unique comment

Looking back now I can only smile to myself and say that it all has to do with "out of the mouth of babes"!  For this is exactly what it came down to.

You see, I recently went shopping with my friend Stephanie to find some new bath mats.  I told her that I wanted to ensure that the new bath mats matched the covers on the lids of the toilet seats.

As always, she was very sure to make this happen for me and I trusted that it would be so because I could not see enough to make sure myself.

Then she went home and told her son Tyler about our shopping trip and he had a very quick response to everything.  He told his mom that if I was so worried that my mats and covers should match all I had to do was  invite only my vision-impaired friends to my home so they would not be able to see if things matched.

Matter fixed!  Tyler had solved the problem!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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A new discovery: The Walmart Superstore

Covid has certainly changed the landscape of the Walmart store.  No longer crowded, lots of space for Stephanie and me to manoeuvre our shopping carts, to choose our items, and to move around.

I am extremely comfortable when it comes to social distancing at Walmart. We sanitize our hands before entering, wear our masks, and follow the Covid rules.  All is good.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A need to be more careful: Checking the bags

This is one very important habit for me to adhere to whenever I go grocery shopping. It is simply not enough to expect Stephanie to be accurate whenever she goes grocery shopping with me.

She is very, very good!  She chooses whatever I have on my list and she packs superbly.  However, there are going to be times when something may be missing and it is up to me to catch these minor glitches.

I need to check my bags thoroughly whenever I return home from grocery shopping. I need to make sure that not only is nothing missing but that I also ensure that I do not have any of Stephanie's items in my bags.

It has nothing to do with being vision impaired; this should be the strategy for everyone.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

The new way: Shopping for bath mats

Boy, oh boy!  Shopping for bath mats has certainly changed.  There used to be a time when you could purchase bath mat sets but, sadly, no more.

There also used to be a time when you could purchase those mats with the rubber backs, but now it is so very hard to find those.  Now you are presented with mats with memory foam backings.

These days, I need to depend solely on sighted assistance when choosing my colours. However my memory is still reasonably good enough to help me to picture things in my mind so that when I go shopping for bath mat sets, I am able to ask the questions that would enable me to formulate a reasonable picture in my mind.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids, with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter, is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan