Author: Lorene

It is so quiet this morning.
The scenery is inspiring.
Sometimes we need a change of scenery to recharge and reevaluate.
Step out of your routine for just a bit.
My view this morning.
Cup of coffee and quiet time to stir up my creative juices to write.
My goal is to finish my cook book this weekend and maybe a few other thoughts like this one.
I have a hard time with self discipline. I would not be good at online college. I love hands on, the smell of books, paper and ink.
I’m old school I guess.
A change of scenery is good for a lot of things in life.
Sometimes the scenery is your job, neighborhood or even the people around you.
Over time you outgrow people, places and things.
And that is great!
Never stunt your own growth because someone can’t keep up.
The beauty is in the bloom.
Don’t be afraid to blossom.
You may be what inspires others to do the same.
And soon they are either right by you again, or happy in their warm cocoon.
And that’s OK.
You do you.
You keep growing, moving forward.
Not only chasing your dreams but grabbing them and holding on for the ride.
Then new dreams and goals.
Its never ending.
Someone once said to me I had worked a lot of places in my life, couldn’t I hold down a job?
Well, first off thats just a rude statement to make.
Next, every job I’ve held led me to something better.
I grew, I learned and experienced more.
I have talents I can fall back on if the world went to hell in a hand basket.
I can wait tables in a diner or run a successful business. I can teach, I can cook, I can work in a factory.
I can survive.
And I am doing it with a change of scenery and a different outlook on life.
Its called living.
And I enjoy every minute of it.
I want to be multi-dimensional, not a cardboard cutout.
I have been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and wore that puppy out.
And what a ride it’s been.
Change and grow friends.
Like Zig Zigler said,
I’ll see you at the top or from the top.
Love big
Lorene

Waking up 5 minutes before your alarm can be annoying, but 30???
Woke up at 330 and decided to just stay up.
I’ll be training 2 people today so I need to be on my toes.
I worked 12 hours yesterday but it went smoother than anticipated. God answers prayers. I have no time for a break down, I’m just too busy!
Today will be fun but challenging. How else should you spend life? No one likes boring!
I know someone will have a bad day at work, or maybe a bad day trying to find work.
No matter how terrible or inconvenient my day may be.
I am grateful.
I help put food on the table, gas in the cars and warmth in the house on mornings like this.
I’ll continue to smile while my feet may be killing me, tell you to have a great day while my back is aching.
And I’ll mean it. Every smile, every good wish.
You bring about what you speak about.
What you put out comes back 10 fold.
Life is good.
Sometimes difficult.
Sometimes a challenge.
But always good.
I love my life and those who dare to share it with me, thank you. It’s a fun ride with more turns, curves and hills ahead.
Hang on my friends!
Pile in, it’s time to get this party started.
Lorene

What an absolute beautiful morning!
Its 39 degrees and raining.
39!!!
The roads are good except for the tree branches here and there.
We lost power at home. I waited til almost dark and packed a bag and went to the shop. The couch there is quite comfy, it was hard getting out of it this morning.
Anyway, I pull up to shop and BAM!!
THE POWER GOES OUT.
Is it me? Lol
So I sat in the dark with Big Daddy and Maddie.
I was so tired from my day. Legs and back were cussing me, I was hungry and just not myself. So I did what I always do when I feel like that.
I laid my head on Troy’s lap and snuggled Maddie.
Its amazing how being with the one you love changes everything.
My day melted away as I laid in the dark.
The good Lord knew what I needed.
A little quiet time to remember what is important and what comforts me the most.
Then he turned the power back on.
In the shop and in me.
After a sandwich and chips, I wrapped up on the couch and slept like a teenager on a snow day. Or any other day for that matter
I woke this morning with yet another changed routine. Digging in my bag for my toothbrush, it reminded me of church camp, concrete floor and cabin smell.
Just another adventure.
To my surprise, the truck was not iced over, it was raining, not sleeting, 39 degrees.
Thank you Oklahoma weather, you bipolar girl you!
I know there is a lot of damage out there. Some trees, electrical and some homes.
I hope when I get home, the pipes made it through with no heat and we don’t have a mess.
I will continue to pray for the linemen and responders, their work is far from over.
Be patient and grateful this morning.
This too shall pass, as all obstacles in our way do.
Enjoy the beauty of the ice before it melts away. Clean up the mess it leaves behind and start fresh once more.
I am getting a little coffee time this morning at work, watching the rain wash away the past 2 days and telling you things you may already know.
Well, except about me sleeping on the couch, if you saw that, we may need to talk. Lol
Enjoy the warm rain my friends.
Our world will have a different look when the sun comes up.
Be grateful that it does.
Love big,
Lorene

Oh my, I deserve this break today.
Went in at 5 am to make waffles for Breast Cancer Awareness, yes they were pink.
Both morning cashiers called in. So I had to open the front in between 3 minute waffles.
Yes, I got my steps in today!
Another call in ,then another. So I was also the salad girl.
Did I mention we had two truck deliveries too?
I finally sat down about 1130.
Then I had my work to do.
Thank you to the staff that braved the weather, from in town and from Elgin. Some taking 45 minutes to get their cars de-iced, no electricity and coming in early just in case.
You are the rock stars.
And thanks for helping up front and putting truck away with me.
Thank you Cody Alldredge for serving breakfast with Val. You were a great help!
Just need to teach you the register now. 😍
So I finally get home about 415.
I see a broken apple tree. 😢
Icicles every where.
There is a fire west of us, the Pioneer fire dept is on its way
I get inside.
No power.
All electric so no water or heat either.
Well, I do have a supply of antifreeze 🍑👑 and I am enjoying it now, feet up while the light from the window starts to fade.
No one will take this moment from me.
Not even me.
My legs and back hurt so I am staying put.
A pizza would be nice, but they don’t deliver out here .
I am thankful for today although it is a reminder of how blessed I truly am.
A few inconveniences, not the end of the world.
Be safe and love big my friends.
Lorene

I have a routine.
One that keeps me at the status quo.
Its comfortable, and I could live here in this spot forever.
But I don’t want to.
I want to grow.
Move on to the next level.
The only way to do that is change my routine.
So this morning, instead of naked in the dark first thing, I took my shower, got ready for work and then grabbed my happy coffee.
It felt odd not following my normal routine. But what I noticed is this.
I had to use my brain this morning.
Every morning is so automatic. I don’t have to think about what I am doing.
Today however I had to make conscience decisions.
What to do and when.
The things I do are still the same, but in a different order.
This small change will help me with the bigger ones.
Like adding an hour of writing time a day. Minimum.
Finishing the Bistro Lorene cookbook.
It will be done by the end of the year, if not sooner.
Working on my blog daily.
If I want change, I have to change.
Life won’t do it for me.
Its my life and I am in control.
So control I will.
So I am sitting in the dark sipping my sanity, but dressed and ready to start the day.
Inhale the possibilities
Exhale the negativity
I may even take a different route to work. Why not make this Monday truly a new beginning.
Love big my friends,
Lorene

Circles
We all have them whether you realize it or not.
Circle of family, friends, associates.
My outer circle are passerbys of my life.
And those I’ve removed from my circles.
I dont want them dead or anything, I want them to eat, just not at my table.
My circle of friends had always been fairly small. By friends I mean people I share time with, have chats regularly, trust with some information. I may even invite you to my home for some activity. People I like a little more than others, I may work with them, be related, maybe even childhood or some facebook friends.
I have an outer circle of associates, coworkers, Facebook friends, some family, people I’ve met through friends, people that could possibly be in the friend circle once I get to know them better.
Then there is my inner circle.
These are people I let into my life, home, heart. People i care about and share my life, thoughts, secrets. The people who have the capacity to hurt my heart.
This circle is small, and it’s rare if I let someone inside.
My inner circle contains people I may not speak to for 10 years, but when we do speak, it feels like we never missed a second.
People I could call and know they would drive hours to comfort me, and I would do the same.
The ones I tell my secrets, the secrets that could destroy me. But these people would take it to their graves and I would do the same for them.
We hurt for each other.
We protect each other.
We have each others back.
These are the people, if they ever betrayed me would crush my faith in humanity.
These are the people I love.
My God given family.
My family by choice.
My posse.
my squad.
My walk to the end of the earth people.
I hope your inner circle is faithful to you and you to them.
Your inner circle will be your pall bearers because they and you trust no one else to carry you home.
Strive to be part of someone’s inner circle.
Never betray a friend.
Life is too short to lose the trust and love of your most valued assets.
Be blessed….
Lorene

I’m never complimenting Monday ever again.
My goodness we went 10 rounds yesterday.
I think the match was a tie and I am sure I crawled out of the ring last night and straight to bed.
I had a protein bar and bulletproof coffee for lunch. Didn’t stop again until 745 last night.
I once again crawled out of bed this morning determined to be the winner. I have muscles and body parts hurt that I never knew existed.
My feet are reminding me of all those years as a waitress, Goodyear Lawton and standing behind a grill.
My back and shoulders are whispering, no shouting….YOU ARE 55, ACT THAT WAY! DELEGATE DAMN IT!
I’m grateful Monday wasn’t the norm.
And I’m grateful I have a team mate that I’m sure hurts as much as I do, but pushes along beside me, sometimes pushing me.
I’m grateful I woke up on the right side of the dirt, next to a man that was home for me when i did finally crawl in.
I’m sipping my coffee in a cool dark room, before a hot shower to wake up my muscles oh so gently.
Meditating and preparing for another day at the office.
Truck day
Well hell.
Sorry body, maybe Wednesday will be better.
Another cup is in order.
I owe it to myself
And my feet.
Have a fabulous day! Send good vibes this way!
Love you my friends.
Lorene

2020 has been a hot bed of topics.
One being the racial division going on now.
I was part of a discussion about this, and we all agreed, like most every moral, it all begins at home.
Our children look to us on how to act, talk and treat others. When they are young, they soak up everything around them. They want to grow up to be like mom or dad.
During the discussion, Alyssa Lewin, a student that had been working with me, told us the best story I have ever heard.
I told her I was stealing the idea and definitely writing about it.
When Alyssa was about to start school, she was told that she would meet other children that were wrapped differently. Their wrapping paper could be different than hers, but inside was still a beautiful gift from God.
Go back and read that again.
She wasn’t told their skin was different, their race was different, or even the way they talked or acted.
Wrapping paper.
The stuff we rip off a present and dont think twice about. It could be gold with silver trimmings or the comics with no bow. Whatever it looks like doesn’t matter, we can’t wait to see what’s inside!
We are tossing the paper to the side without a thought. Who cares what the outside looks like, its a present and we all love presents!
I’ve never seen anyone be handed a gift, and decide that since it was not wrapped the way they would wrap it, they wouldn’t accept it.
What a beautiful analogy.
I’m grateful she chose to share that life lesson with me. And now with you.
Treat every person you meet as a gift from God. Be excited about what’s inside. The wrapping paper only holds in the treasures.
And remember, you too are a gift. Never be ashamed of your wrapping paper. Be the gift you are intended to be. The treasure inside.
With Christmas and Hanukah around the corner, packages of all shapes and sizes will be everywhere.
I hope when you see them, you will remember this and pass the lesson on to someone else.
Be kind and
Love big.
Lorene

Troy woke up the other morning and saw me staring at him while he slept. He asked me why I was staring and I told him I wanted to memorize his face. Everyday there’s always some kind of change.
I told him one morning hopefully in the far future one of us will wake up without the other one next to them, And I want to be able to close my eyes and see his perfect face perfectly if that happens to be me.
Don’t ever take for granted what you have. You never know when it will no longer be there. Memorize every wrinkle, scar, imperfection that makes them who they are, and the reason you love waking up to that face every morning.
I love you Troy Wood. I love your face.

Facebook has helped me get back and keep in touch with so many friends and family.
I get to enjoy others vacations, adventures and watch them grow and mature.

One of my favorite options on Facebook is the memories.
I love looking back and seeing my own adventures and what I was doing today so many years ago.
There have been times that it’s the same thing years later.
Eating dinner at the same restaurant, watching the same movie or the next series to it.
I’ve been seen wearing the same shirt.
Man I need a new wardrobe. Lol

I’ll see pictures of my grandbabies so small. The first day of school is a favorite. I love seeing those.
An electronic journal and photo album of my life.
They say when you die, your life flashes before you. I’m sure those will be the moments I did not share with people. I can wait to see those.

But each morning I enjoy scrolling back through my years on Facebook and reliving all the moments that made me smile.
All of you are a part of that.
Each time you tag me and include me in your life, I get to relive it again.

Thank you.

I see myself age, looking more like my mother each day.
I enjoy my birthday and anniversaries over and over.
The quotes, comments and random thoughts sometimes make me wonder what was going on during that time of my life.

Funny how something so simple can make me smile on a daily basis.
I’ll keep documenting my life, for me.
I hope you can enjoy it along the way too.
Now go on, make some Sunday memories today.

Thanks again for starring in my life’s sitcom. Glad you could stop by.
Lorene