Author: Lorene

Ever watch the move Click with Adam Sandler?
I remember thinking, Now THAT’S a Universal remote! In 2006 I had kids in the house and what I wouldn’t do to click PAUSE once in a while.

This year, I feel the same way. And not just because it is 2020.
Life just seems to fly by so fast.
My babies have babies, one of them is 17!
Where did time go?
If I owned a UNIVERSAL remote, just how would I wield that power?

Well, let’s hit the list button to see what I have recorded in my memories.

High school follies…
Oh my, I could sit and watch this all day. And not because I was a Brickhouse back then, but I had some amazing friends. Some of which are still in contact.
Skipping school, sitting on the patio, working at Pizza Hut, driving the Roach, being kidnapped by friends and taken to Six Flags, that 70 Chevelle.
I’d love to have that car now.
Graduation, Geronimo….
And both my parents alive and watching over me.

Adulthood part 1…out on my own.
After graduation I just knew I was ready to be out on my own. Room mates yes, but out of the parents house. Little did I know at that time I was going to be a mother.
Daddy moved me back home saying there was no way I was having a baby without them. He passed 5 months after she was born.
I’m glad he was able to enjoy a grand child. Maybe that was God’s plan.
He knew Dad’s end of time and wanted to bless him one more time and figured I was up to the challenge.
I am good with that.
Single mother for 2 years. Talk about a challenge. I remember writing letters to my baby, telling her I would do my best to make her life wonderful. Everything about her grandfather and how he was there for her at the beginning.
I wish I still had those.

Adulthood part 2…military wife
I married my high-school sweetheart. He had joined the military and we did a tour in Germany where my second child was born.
New friends made and then found on Facebook later to keep in touch.
Our marriage ended but our friendship remains. We co parented the best we could and did what was best for our daughters.
I must say, they turned out amazing!

Adulthood part 3…Goodyear
Working in a plant was tough at first. Back to being a single mom. Met my second husband there. Yes, I have them numbered.
We were good for each other at the time. We had a blended family and that was a big challenge. I took with me lessons from that marriage. I dont regret that relationship at all. His family is still my family, but he and I don’t keep in touch.
I do wish him happiness, we just couldn’t give that to each other.
More friends made and my 3rd and final husband met.

Adulthood part 4…becoming and being a Lulu
I worked with Troy for close to 12 years before we dated. I was divorced and he had lost his beautiful wife in a car accident.
God put us both in the right place and the right time for each other.
He needed a strong woman to help him and I needed to be a strong force for someone.
And the match made in heaven has been successful.
The lessons I learned from blending families, being independent, positive, motivating and hard headed has come to be useful.
He is a blessing for me also.
He has helped me be the person I truly am. Pushed me to do things I never would have thought possible.
Not a night passes that when my head hits my pillow, my prayers include thanks for that man and in the morning thanks for another day.
Maybe in reality, he is the strong force.

I look back at the relationships I’ve had and I have learned from each of them. Good, bad, indifferent.
That remote would have come in handy here and there, lol. But mostly to rewind and enjoy the fun over and over.
Rewind and watch my babies laugh, see my parents dance and hug them one more time.

I have so many recordings, I will have to finish another time. I’ve taken enough of your time if you’ve made it to here.
Let you peek into my life a little bit more.
56 years is a lot of time to cover. But thinking about it and reminiscing is good for the soul.
Love big my friends,
Lorene

I rarely comment on the gossip, buy, sell etc. Pages. It seems no one can have an opinion with out someone else telling them they don’t know what they are talking about.
I find it funny when the person they are addressing actually does, it’s their profession and the troll hasn’t a clue.
I refuse to banter with someone who disagrees with me in a social media forum.
So we disagree.
Agree to disagree.
I am not going to tell you that you are wrong.
I’m not going to start a 826 comment argument. I have better things to do with my time.
When the notification pops up that you think I’m an idiot, I just smile.
I heard it’s best to let people THINK you are an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Or was it never have a match of wits with an unarmed man. Hmmmm.
I will sit here and enjoy my life no matter what people think of my opinions.
I’ve learned that I am responsible for my own happiness, what to avoid and what to let in.
So, the above is my opinion. Take it or leave it, read it or not. No negativity. My thoughts for what they are worth.
Love you all, have a happy life!
It’s in your hands.
Lorene

Friday the 13th.
Full moon.
Nothing scary right?
Well, unless you are a police officer, medic or ER staff.
The moon has powers. It pulls oceans in different directions. We are 70% water. Explains a lot.
There is a nice rain this morning too. Not loud. But steady. I can see it falling on the road out front. Heavy enough for a raincoat making it ponytail day. No sense in trying to tame this mop i have.
It IS Friday. Yay!
The favorite child of the week. The ending of work for most and the beginning of the weekend. Sometimes a payday. Fridays always seem to scream YOU MADE IT!
Enjoy this lucky day, and your weekend.
Don’t ruin it dreading Monday.
Monday is going to happen.
No use in ruining your weekend fretting about it. Enjoy today. Throw that hair in a ponytail. Face the sky. Feel the rain on your face.
Freedom…..it comes in mysterious ways…
Well, since I don’t have to fix my hair, I think I’ll sit and enjoy another cup of coffee before I let the moon follow me into work today.
Have a blessed weekend my friends.
Lorene

I just want to sit with my coffee this morning.
I do not want to adult today.
Is there a way I can unsubscribe to adulthood? It’s really not working out for me.
Well, it’s not that bad, but a vacation from it every once in a while would be nice.
A full week of no responsibilities, deadlines, alarm clocks, clothes, errands, schedules, time clocks, laundry, housework, mowing.
Just time.
Cold pizza for breakfast and pancakes for dinner. With whipped cream even.
Midnight ice cream sundaes and potato chips in bed.
24 hours of scooby do, Josie and the pussycats and the coyote and the road runner.
Scary movies and a sleep over, giggling until all hours of the night. Sleeping with the light on.
Oh dear, my cup is empty.
Back to reality. No vacation here. The thought was fun. And for about half an hour, I didn’t adult. I closed my eyes and remembered an innocent time. No need to disappear for a week, just a healthy reminder to refresh my thoughts, breathe in positivity and exhale my worries.
Big girl panties, coffee infused, mind set, yep, I’m ready! Let’s do this!
Lorene

My mind is wandering this morning. Coffee in hand, dark cool room, some thought is usually front and forward.
Not today.
Before I was out of bed, multiple thoughts were rushing in.
Its 9-11 😪
The team meeting I held yesterday.
Catering this morning.
Golf tournament meals.
What to wear.
I need coffee.
I need a vacation.
Don’t wake Troy and Maddie.
Aflac business
I hope my cashier feels better.
I’m opening cook Monday.
Don’t forget to reset Mondays alarm.
I have evaluations to do.
Fire training this morning.
Flu shots for staff.
Salvation army board meeting today.
It’s only Wednesday? 🙄
Finish next weeks menu.
Write schedule.
Work on policies and procedures.
Schedule mini team meetings.
Don’t forget time lines.
Visit the city manager.
My cup is empty, my day is full.
It’s almost like I made a to do list.
I’m sure a look inside my mind made you shake your head. Or laugh.
I wish there were words of wisdom swirled in there somewhere. 😂🤣
What it tells me is I’m living.
So I don’t complain.
I take a deep breath, exhale any negativity and move forward.
I may or may not finish the to do list for the day, or unscramble my morning thoughts by noon, but I will enjoy each breath I take, each smile I see today and each accomplishment I make.
I woke up on the right side of the dirt yet another day,
I’m going to live it to its fullest.
My day is calling a little louder than normal this morning, so….
Have a blessed day.
Lorene

Mmmm hazelnut coffee. Every sip brings memories.
A friend introduced me to it many years ago.
What is something you love or partake in because of a friend or loved one?
Coffee with sweetened condensed milk and buttered toast to dip in it takes me back to winters and my mother. I will do that on days I’m really missing her.
I opened a new bottle of perfume yesterday. Closed my eyes and took in the scent. Another memory.
Sometimes memories can help me make it thru the day. Snippets of my life that made me laugh, cry, snort coffee through my nose….
Maybe a song comes on the radio and takes you to a place even Dorothy and Toto would be jealous.
A smell, sound, movie, meal….
Isn’t it wonderful we have memories? Can you imagine starting new every day? Nothing to fall back on, nothing to help guide you, no what would daddy do moments?
What an awful existence.
Memories make us who we are.
And molds our future.
Something we all have in common.
How many times have you heard….Do you remember when…?
And a smile appears on your face. You feel your body relax, your heart rate slows, you close your eyes and relive that moment.
Happiness
We need more of it. Make it a point to pull out those memories when you most need them. Share them with someone that may need a smile.
Most importantly,
Make new ones.
Be a part of someone else’s.
Be the reason someone smiles.
Last sip of coffee. Work beckons. Adulting must begin.
Have a wonderful memory making day!
Lorene

It’s cold this morning.
The best part of fall weather is an open window, Cold room, thick covers and a snuggle buddy.
The worse part is having to get out from under those covers.
This was one of those mornings I wanted to be selfish, turn off the alarm and roll back over, Big Daddy on one side and Maddie on the other.
My paradise.
But I am up.
Halfway through my coffee, still have a blanket around me, but writing this and motivating myself for the day.
Why?
Adulting.
Responsibility
My Conscious, yes others need time off more than me. I can wait my turn. I would feel guilty and wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself.
But that’s just me.
I know the world revolves around me, but I don’t mind taking turns. 😁
Helping each other should be a priority as much as self help.
I will enjoy limited snuggles for now. And crawl out into the cold world this morning.
I’ll just bundle up.
So if you see me, hug me! Body heat does wonders and hugs are magical.
Like this coffee.
Made from magical beans….
Best potion on a cool morning.
Have your best day today.
Crawl out from under your blankets and Carpe Diem my friends!
Grab that cup of motivation and conquer what life throw at you.
You got this.
We got this.
Love Big!
Lorene

Ahhhhhh, coffee in hand. My first weapon to slay Monday. A day I need to meet head on and come out the winner.
Over the years, I have had different people enter my life. Some leave, some stay, some make it to my inner circle. All of them have left a mark. I have learned a little or a lot from the people that cross my path.
I do know, I cant make it through this life alone. I need them in some way, fashion or form.
A memory, a lesson, a shoulder….
Family, friends, church, coworkers, associates, vendors, customers, classmates, no matter the level or degree you know someone, some how they touch your life.
I am fortunate to have people in my life that help me walk my daily path. Most of the time unknowingly.
There have been times I have felt like I was hanging by a thread, and that thread was one of you.
Everyone comes into your life for a reason.
And you into theirs.
One day you may be that thread of hope for someone. You may have already and not known it.
We all have a purpose.
Thank you for being a part of my life, for reading or sharing my thoughts.
And thank you for the impact you’ve made on my life.
My coffee cup is once again empty, so time to tackle Monday
Thanks for being there with me.
Lorene

Fall is definitely showing her face this morning.
Much wanted cooler weather and a little rain to recharge the batteries.
Coffee usually does it for me. But this kind of recharge is like a jump start.
A reminder that the only thing constant is change.
Scorching hot days to cooler, wet ones.
The earth needs it.
We need it.
Most people seem to be afraid of change. They like the status quo.
It’s safe.
But it can get boring.
Throw in some spice.
Start working on that bucket list.
Do something different.
Out of the ordinary.
Not so mundane.
Embrace change.
Make it what you desire.
Tailor it to your life.
Don’t settle for normal
Reach for the unreachable
Never stop trying. .
This NO is one NO closer to a YES.
And oh how sweet that yes will be!
Be the change.
If we all just stood around waiting, nothing would happen.
Make that move.
Recharge your own life and ignite the desire in others.
Well, I am off the change the world.
Even if its just my own.
I deserve it.
I’m grateful for it
And I will make it happen.
Follow me, I’ll show you how.
Love Big,
Lorene

How many times have you looked at someone and just said or wanted to say, GROW THE HELL UP!
I was more mature at 12 than most 25 year old’s now. I’ve come to realize that maturity doesn’t come with age, or experience. I know some old, experienced idiots that act like 2 year old’s.
Maturity comes with realization.
The realization that every decision you make doesn’t just affect you.
The realization that even if you think it does, the world doesn’t revolve around you.
The realization that sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do, because it’s the right thing to do.
The realization that no one owes you anything.
The realization that hard work doesn’t always pay off, that’s just life.
The realization that you have to deal with immature people every day and you can’t let them affect you in a negative way.
The realization that NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING.
Oh, I just realized I said that already. 😉
Enough of the soap box. I am going to have a kick ass day! You all do the same.

Lorene