Author: Lorene

Quiet time can sure make my mind run amok.
There are days I can’t focus on one thing long enough to write about it.
During the day I think of all kinds of stuff I could have shared. I need to keep a notebook of those I guess.

Of course you are seeing the first draft. I don’t make sure the punctuation, spelling, or grammar is perfect. I type as I think. You are experiencing Lorene unfiltered.

I’ve been thinking about my childhood lately.
I don’t remember a lot, bits and pieces here and there. I’ve even thought about a hypnotist to help find what or why I cant remember. It could be my age, but it’s been like this forever.
I could always run for President, they would have a dossier on me pretty quick. 🤣🤣

In all seriousness, I have questions.
My mom would be the one to answer them, but she isn’t here anymore.
When I was young, I want to say between 8 and 12 years old, I would go to Key West during the summer and stay with my grandparents. I also remember a time I went to Tennessee and stayed with one of my moms sisters. My sister was 2 years younger than me, but she never went. Just me.

I don’t remember when I stopped going. I can barely remember how I got there. I seem to remember a Greyhound bus, but never a plane.
As an adult I wonder why my sister was never allowed to go, and was I just being sent away? I wasn’t a trouble child. I walked a pretty straight line when I was preteen. I would do anything to make my parents proud of me.
Still make decisions with them in mind.

There are so many holes in my memories they must look like Swiss cheese. A part of me is afraid to know what I’m missing.

There are things that will trigger a memory. Kind of like when you see something, or someone says something that reminds you of the dream you had last night.

I remember somethings that I write about in private. Not on here, not yet. They seem more like dreams than memories. Some nightmares actually. Real or not I moved past them. Tucked them far away, covered them with good memories. They sneak out once in a while and I have to face them and then push them back again.

Don’t take this the wrong way, I had a great childhood. Two very loving parents. They taught me right from wrong. We were NOT the Cleaver family nor the Manson family, not perfect, but a family.
I never needed for anything.

I feel like I’m writing a book here now and my coffee cup is empty. I need much more to get this day going.
Thanks for reading, don’t hesitate to tell me any memories from my childhood you may remember, good or bad. PM me if its sensitive.

I love you all, friends, family and those who just need outside prayers. Have a wonderful day.
And yes, that’s me, the strawberry blond cutie with Mom, Dad and sister Angie.

Lorene

Monday, coffee and quiet time. Thinking about my weekend.
It was a great weekend.
Friday evening was basically snuggle time with Big Daddy. A good rib eye cooked in butter and garlic cloves and a major pile of broccoli. Couldn’t do much after that meal but snuggle.

Saturday I had friends come by for a girls day. We watched movies, drank screwdrivers, made sliders and sundaes with whipped cream, sprinkles and moonshine cherries.
We were all in our jammies with blankets on the couch. Just enjoying each others company. It reminded me of Saturday morning cartoons after a slumber party when I was a little girl. Straight OJ back then of course.

Sunday brunch and Sam’s shopping then back home to snuggle up again. Maddie and I had Troy pinned in his corner of the couch. Each of us had a side with hand and paw meeting halfway.
They are the best snuggle buddies.

In between time here and there, I did laundry. Decluttered my kitchen counter tops and dusted because, well, Oklahoma.

It was amazing how decluttering something I see every day made such a difference in my outlook for the weekend. I am not OCD, but the neatness, open space and brightness made me feel more focused. More in control and less chaotic. I had more energy. It was as though the messy counter tops drained me each time I walked by.

I wonder how much better it will get if I continue with the rest of the house. Maybe a bag a day. Fill a trash bag for donation or dump each day. Could take 5 minutes or an hour.
I need to work on that.

Maybe do the same in my brain. My thoughts, feelings, emotions the works. Start tossing some out, organizing others for daily use and storing some for later. Writing them down here helps.

I am collecting my past writing to compile into some sort of book.
Going back and reading some of my thoughts has me wondering what about them attracts readers. One person commented one day my post should go viral. That would be awesome. That many people sharing my thoughts.

Wow just wow.
Now THAT would make my day.

Back to my weekend, boy I ramble….
It was almost perfect.
I had to reschedule a birthday celebration with my oldest grandson, his life is busier than mine. I’m glad it is. We will have our day.

Now Monday reminds me I have a busy week of caterings at work. A late night here and there, then helping a friend with his cater this weekend.
So my last gulp of coffee and off to work.

Have a blessed, uncluttered week my friends!

Lorene

Jeez Louise, yesterday kicked me in the stomach. About one o’clock my stomach started hurting, I ate gluten and I figured that was it. It usually subsides, but this time it got worse.

I felt like I was costarring in an Alien movie with Sigourney weaver. Something had hold of my stomach from the inside and kept twisting.

Finally about 3:30 I came home. After a few trips to the Bathroom, I laid down in the bed. I was freezing. I slept off and on only to wake to that pain in my stomach.

Troy came home about 7 and checked on me. I finally slept straight until 11.
I woke up sweating and feeling like I was going to pass out. Every inch of my body hurt. Not ache, hurt.

Troy gave me Gatorade thinking I was probably dehydrated. I stayed up until about midnight. My rib cage hurting from front to back. I finally went back to sleep.

4:45 and I’m wide awake. My chest hurts, my body aches. No fever. Much better than yesterday for sure.
Today is a busy day for me. So staying home is not an option.

I must adult.
Hopefully it has passed and whatever alien I possessed will not make an entrance.

I’d appreciate all the good vibes today!
Lorene

My goodness 4 am comes early.
It is so quiet, it seems like the house noises even know it’s too early to be disrupting nature.
It’s the best reflection time.
I can hear myself think.
Thank goodness there is only one voice. I have enough to deal with daily.

Early morning is the best time to go over a game plan for the day, rethink decisions from yesterday and adjust.

No one said I had to be perfect. Well I’m sure some boss along my life path may have expected it but surprise!
Not happening Captain.

I have over the years learned to tweek things. I no longer throw my hands up and say oh well, it is what it is. Why should I just accept things I can change? And if I cant change it, I can control my response to it.

My few minutes of coffee time in the early morning a game changer.
No interruptions except maybe a fur baby that needs a belly rub once in a while. Or maybe Big Daddy couldn’t sleep and will be up. Those are the best interruptions. I believe those are times when God says, let’s not over think things today and just be grateful.

So I am.
Grateful.

Lorene

Do you watch reality TV?
I don’t watch a lot of television, most of what I do watch I DVR for later. Yes, most of them are food shows.
I Netflix too. I love movies. I have quite a collection.

I have watched reality shows in the past. Episodes here and there. I like the ones that show daily going ons. Compare my day to others. It makes me feel normal 🤣

Have you seen Wife Swap? OMG!! Its amazing the opposites they can find, maybe I should say extreme opposites. Troy has been the only man who could live with me for so long. Not that I’m hard to live with, but I do have a way I fold towels.

I must say I have never watched an episode of the bachelor. Seriously ladies, I don’t mind a little competition but No, just no. I can buy my own roses.

Yes, I watched the Apprentice back in the day. I don’t know why I was drawn to it, it’s as far fetched as the others. Maybe it was the possibility of landing that life changing job.

Wives of whatever county.
I watched a few episodes out of curiosity years ago. Even the one filmed in OKC.
That may be real life somewhere, but not here.

Naked and afraid, another I have seen zero episodes. I love running around naked at home. But I don’t have creepy crawly things all around me that could make their way into every crevice I may have exposed I’ll save going in the woods for the bears. I need plumbing thank you.

Teen mom….
Been there, done that. It wasn’t glamorous.

Imagine a reality show starring you.
Would it be a comedy? Drama? Soap opera?Do you think people would DVR it so they wouldn’t miss an episode? Or binge watch with friends?

I would like to think my life would capture the attention of people. I think it would be a combination of all the above, funny. Sad, on the edge of your seat weekends….and maybe just a bit boring.

Now, if it was a full length movie, flashing back to all those decisions I made that led me here, that might be entertaining.
My life has never been boring or mundane. Maybe a little out in left field here and there, but never boring.

There would be a little bit of every reality show that’s been on the boob tube.
From single mom, going after that job, military wife….and maybe a little Intervention.

Reality is what we make of it.
Outside forces may possibly sway us in certain directions, maybe towards, maybe away. But the choice is ours
Choose to be happy.
Choose to love big.
Choose your destiny.
Choose your inner circle.
Write your own script.
If you aren’t happy with the first take, do it over. And over, until its perfect in your eyes.

Live for you, not your audience.

Reality is telling me I need to get dressed and out the door. 10% of life seems to be in the dark and with coffee. Maybe my show sponsors will be Folgers and GE.

Lorene

Once Halloween is over it’s a new season.

The world has a different atmosphere this time of year.
A time for being grateful, a time for giving.

The first 10 months of the year it seems people hustle without a care. It’s all about them. Go go go.
Then the Thanksgiving time arrives.
Attitudes seem to change with the crisp cool air.
People are friendlier, everyone shares time with others, dinners, parties, bonfires.

December it ramps up! Gifts, good tidings, more dinners and parties.
What makes those 2 months change people? Why cant every month be like those two?

What you send out, you receive back ten fold.
So why not be grateful and sharing all year long?
Volunteer somewhere.
Share the most precious thing you have.

Time
It makes a difference in so many lives.
I know for a fact that it can save a life.

The Salvation Army is near and dear to me. I grew up in the church, the youth groups molded me and camp was a great time with friends.
Volunteer this year to ring bells where ever you are.
Smile at every individual that passes the kettle whether or not they are able to share.
As the cold wind bites at your face, remember you have a warm home to go to and some don’t.
You have a hot meal to fill your belly, some do not.

The Christmas Season is 12 months long.
Not the tree and decorations part, but the loving, caring and sharing your heart part.
Don’t wait until November to be that person.

Shine all year long!
You will be happier.
The world will be kinder.
Love you all!
Lorene

Its quiet, but I’m not home in my cool room. Instead I am in a lodge kitchen where I spent the weekend with friends and cooking holiday meals.

It’s funny, I’ve had a Crazy few months with the last 2 weeks of working 50 to 60 hours and looked forward to getting away from every little problem that popped up. Little did I know the challenges that were waiting for me.

I was to the point on Friday, that I had had enough. I didn’t think I could handle anything else thrown at me.
The weekend meant I would do what I loved to do, command a kitchen and cook for people that enjoyed a good meal. Menu planning, shopping, having a sous chef that is a bestie made it the perfect de-stress opportunity.

Or so I thought.

I’ve heard that a woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Well, call me Lipton, because my hot water was waiting for me Saturday morning.

The refrigerator unit at the lodge decided to grow up and be a freezer. A wishy washy one at that. The laws of nature were broken every way possible.
Random things were frozen. Some things were side by side on a shelf, one hard as a rock the other just cold.

All the proteins were frozen. Turkeys, pork loins, oh and the deviled eggs, about 4 dozen of them we made the night before.

Talk about chaos!
So many things were not going as planned. But I wont go into detail, this would be pages long. Lol.

Yeah, I can laugh now.
40 hungry people and I needed to cook brunch first and figure a way to salvage dinner.
All the frozen meat went in the sink with cold water. The pork loins defrosted in time but the Turkey, rock solid ice on the center holding the neck captive.
Thanks to team work a few friends came to the rescue. One freed the gravy making neck, the other, well, did you know you can INSTAPOT a frozen turkey in 90 minutes?

The weekend was actually a blessing for me.
Once again I was reminded that I can do anything with the help of prayer and friends.
Lesson learned, you can do anything, defeat any challenge, knock down any road block with help.

You never have to face the world alone.
So thank you my friends, old and new for making my weekend so eye opening.
Lorene
#mirrormagic #lorenementality

Good morning and happy dark when You get up, dark when you get home season.

Leave it to the government to screw up your sunshine and vitamin D levels for months on end.
I bet this is the time of year wars are started.

I returned home Sunday after a weekend of little sleep, chaos and fun times.
Home.
With Big Daddy.
All I wanted to do was snuggle.
I did unpack and do my laundry because showing up to work naked is frowned upon by HR.

Snuggling with Troy is so relaxing and calming. His arms around me protect me from outside interference, and keeps me from thinking about anything that may cause stress, depression or anger.
My safe spot.
I get so relaxed I usually fall asleep.
And sleep I did.
I slept away the past few months of go go go.
Anything that happened to cause any stress faded away when my eyes closed.
I slept all day.

Woke up an hour before my alarm feeling like a new woman.
He is my battery charger.
I feel charged up and ready to attack a new week no matter what gets thrown my way.
Mondays don’t have anything to throw I cant throw back!
I hope you spent the weekend recharging and enjoying your safe spot.

Don’t forget to lean on a friend when you need to, and be there to hold up one.
Have a wonderful week!
I’m there for you!
Lorene

I can get along with anybody.

I have met a lot of people in my 55 years but very few become friends.
They are associates, coworkers etc.

Still a part of my life, but not ones I share intimate details.

I’ve belonged to a few groups that were fun when we got together for meetings or conventions. Some had a charitable purpose or civic duty. My church youth group was always on my priority list.
I’ve made close friends from most of the groups. Some people are still a part of my life, maybe not everyday.

I’m grateful to be part of a ladies group that is supportive of each other. A party planning group that treats each other like family.
We all work together and for each other.
I’ve met several of the spouses and they are the same.

Supportive.
That’s the word that pops up when I think of them.
Never have I belonged to such a group of strong, independent, loving, caring, sincere and supportive women. With matching spouses.

This was the group I cooked for this past weekend.
They sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers Tuesday.

Flowers for just doing what I loved for people who appreciated it.
For fighting a refrigerator with an attitude.
For serving dinner only a half hour late.

I lean down and smell them each and every time I’ve left my office.
They made my day.
Quite possibly my week.

This group thought of me after the food.
After the weekend.
I have a new circle to add to my life.
They are a circle all their own.
One that beams, shines, and checks on each other every day.
It took 5 decades to find.

Don’t give up on finding those people that are “your tribe”. It may take a minute, but they are there and they will find you and you, them.

They will remind you everyday that you belong.
Lorene

It looks miserable outside.

I can hear the wind howling and see it ripple the water puddled out front.

I want to take my coffee and snuggle under the covers.
And stay there.
Me, my fur baby and the remote.

I’d prefer Big Daddy but hes too committed to getting projects done at the shop.
His days have been as challenging as mine.
I try not to complain to him, but when I do he wraps his arms around me and tells me it will be ok.

I’m pretty damn fortunate.

Being optimistic comes pretty natural for me. Here lately, staying that way is taking some effort. I know others have it worse than me, and others have it better. I focus on what will make things fall back into place and keep the train on the track.

Good things happen
I have some great employees.
I’ve had time for lunch most days.
I have asked for help and received it.
The week really has flown by.
And my coffee in the morning tastes like hope, encouragement, stamina,possibilities and strength.

It’s been a one pot week, but I got this.
One sip at a time.
Lorene