Photo by Rebecca
Alzheimer’s
In October 2019, my husband of 51 years died of Alzheimer’s Disease. It was a precious 12 years from the moment he was diagnosed to the day he died. We shared that experience. The early Alzheimer’s years were a bit comedic at times. His sense of humor sustained both of us.
He chose to transition by not eating, and we chose to honor his thinking. He was a smart guy and knew the outcome; he wanted to terminate his life when first diagnosed and prevent the final years, crappy years from happening for me. I said NO! I wanted every minute.
I’m grateful for his decision and thankful for the 12 years we had. Because Charlie and Trudy, mentioned in an earlier post, had an enviable marriage, I did to. Were the last two years of his life as awful as described by many others? Yes!!! And, he was home alone with me, except for a two-morning-a-week helper. His last day at home he was still playing peek-a-boo behind a pillow. Grateful for every moment.
Branding
Branding isn’t built in a studio—it’s built in the moments between meetings, at networking events, and even while waiting for your latte.
From Drawings to Dialogue
Designers aren’t just visual thinkers—we’re translators of imagination.
When you can turn drawings into dialogue, every presentation becomes a partnership.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Sweat Palms
Swap sweaty palms for confident handshakes.
Tell Me More
A few months ago, I watched a young designer at a networking event nervously circle the coffee station. She rehearsed “So, what do you do?” at least four times before finally approaching a woman from a major firm. Five minutes later, they were laughing...
The Conversation
Because small talk isn’t small at all. It’s where big things begin.
Power of Story Telling
The Power of Storytelling in Your Presentations Make the client the hero.Your presentation isn’t just about showcasing your design genius it’s about inviting the client into their own success story. When they can see themselves living in the space you’re describing,...
Stage Presence in the Studio
: You don’t need a spotlight to shine—just presence.
Stop Saying ‘Um”
Stop Saying "um" Every “um” chips away at your authority—here’s how to stop. Three Key Points: - Use pauses instead of fillers. - Practice with recordings. Slow down your pace “The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as...