Author: Lorene

A lot of my friends I spent the weekend with have come down with the flu. I am still up. I’ve been tired more than normal so maybe my body has been fighting it off. I also drank an abundance of screwdrivers and mimosas. That’s a lot of vitamin C folks!
I experienced fire cupping. A way of pulling toxins and increasing blood flow to tense muscles. I have a picture if you’d like to see.
It was an experience, and I truly believe it helped. Of course my back looks like it was attacked by a giant squid. So no topless adventures for me for a while.
I am sleeping a bit more this week. My body is getting tired quicker than normal so I know its telling me to slow down and rest.
I am.
I’ve been curling up on one side of Big Daddy with Maddie on the other and out by 7 pm. I then get moved to the bed when they do.
I take my vitamins daily. Morning and evening with 10000 units of Vitamin D before bed. It helps stimulate my natural melatonin for good sleep. My B’s twice a day, need that energy especially now. And some others. My health is important to me. I have grandbabies to watch grow up and my children guiding them.
I think this turned into a how to avoid the flu post. Or why Lorene looks like she hasn’t slept in a week. Or reasons the flu is avoiding Lorene. Exciting read eh?
All in all it’s just a peek inside my head at what is roaming around at 5 am while I am sipping coffee in my dark, quiet room. It can be scary, confusing, motivating or deep on any given day.
I should say moment.
Asking me “a penny for your thoughts” could get you a one liner or chapter and verse.
I’m done. None of this is making sense and I’m trying to move on to another subject. Jeez, it’s too early, my brain is wide awake and my body is trying to catch up.
Have a great day! Avoid the flu! Take your vitamins.
Be well.
Lorene

I’m sitting with my coffee thinking about how much my routine has changed and stayed the same.
Over the years, I have had plenty of early mornings getting ready for work. I actually think they all involved coffee.
When I worked for Goodyear, I’d be up before anyone with my coffee and a crossword. No cell phone. No Facebook to scroll.
Me, coffee, the paper and a pen.
Yes a pen.
I used to be good at crosswords.
At State Farm, I’d get there an hour or so before everyone else. Make a pot of coffee and bake Otis Spunkmyer cookies. Relax with a cup in the quiet and boot up my email.
The Bistro was always an early morning, even on Mondays when we were closed. I would go in, make a pot of coffee, toast and sit at the bar looking out the glass doors feeling grateful about living my dream.
I guess I am a creature of habit.
I like my solitude and my coffee.
Alone time is so energizing.
Time to think and be grateful.
Plan and pray.
Mark off the goals I have met and add more.
Hmmmm, maybe coffee is brewed from a magical bean. And Jack grew a coffee beanstalk that went to a place dreams really do come true.
Maybe its just the company I keep those mornings. I like her and we get along just fine.
Love big my friends
Lorene

It’s cold and wet outside.
It’s kind of chilly in the house too. Or maybe it’s just me. My coffee isn’t warming me fast enough.
A good day to stay home and under the covers.
One of those days you don’t want to face the real world.
A fall out of reality day.
Old movies and coffee type of day.
A fight with the fur baby over the warm spot day.
A me day.
Everyone needs to take a me day once in a while.
Today is not that day for me. I have too much adulting to do. My days have to be planned out. It’s rare they are spontaneous.
I did have a great weekend with friends. I did what I love to do, cook for the masses.
It’s amazing how cooking for that many people isn’t exhausting, but exhilarating. I love making people smile after that first bite.
I made a Bistro Lorene Monte Cristo with a raspberry jalapeno dipping sauce. Brought back memories. And made new fans.
My Monday was the type of Monday people perceive Mondays to be. Walked into the Blue Screen of Death on my computer, on a day I use my computer the most. Little things that seem like big things for a second, until I take that deep breath and laugh before addressing them.
That works by the way, laughing at the problem seems to shrink it and put it into perspective.
Panic and stress can air that balloon up to the point of bursting.
So laugh.
Its past my quiet time and reality is beckoning me to put my big girl panties on and attack the day. Let’s pray the elastic stays in tact or may be showing my…
So Adult I must.
Have a fantabulous day, keep warm and dry.
Oh, and don’t forget to laugh.
Lorene

Waiting on my windows to defrost.
I don’t feel like pulling out the scraper this morning. If I had looked first, I would have grabbed another cup of coffee.
But instead I am sitting in the cold car writing.
Is that lazy?
Or me just being old?
I am trying to be productive while I wait. I technically don’t have to be at work until 8 so I know I’ll make it.
I do need to prioritize my activities.
I am still working on the cookbook and it just doesn’t have enough content yet.
So, the publisher and I have set a goal to have it in print in time for all of you to have the perfect Christmas gift.
We haven’t discussed a title, maybe you all can help.
It will be composed of Bistro recipes, my daily writings, pictures of course and stories about living the dream.
Drop a title suggestion in comments.
If we use it, I will give you a free copy.
Well, windows are defrosted.
Time to head to work.
Have a blessed day!
Love big
Lorene

There are mornings I want to just stay snuggled under the covers.
When I get up, it disturbs Maddie and some times she will pick her head up to mean mug me and other times she will just replace me next to Troy and keep my warm spot warm.

There are nights I dream all night long. If I wake up mid dream I try hard to go back to sleep to finish.
I love to dream.
I believe there is meaning to them. My sub conscious talking to me. Trying to guide me down the crazy path of life.
As a child I was afraid to sleep. I had what I called night terrors. They weren’t nightmares. They were full sensory episodes of sound, smell, movement around me but I felt I could not move. May be why I’m claustrophobic now.
I would wake up screaming.
My mom would come running from the other end of the house to calm me. It seemed to be a nightly thing.

I wish I knew the meaning of them. I don’t remember when they stopped. I’m just glad they did.
They were terrifying.
Now my dreams are entertaining, puzzling with people, places and things. Sometimes a mystery to be solved.
Like the hidden room I’ve have dreams about often. Its in a house that I don’t recognize except from my dreams, that pops up at different times. The room is hidden and I have to crawl through a narrow passageway and its filled with boxes and items, but I’ve never gone through them.
I’ve often wondered if that room was my memory vault. I don’t remember much from my childhood. I’ve often thought of getting hypnotized to remember. Maybe each of those boxes contains a significant memory. But one I wanted to forget. Maybe best left locked.
Troy tells me dreams have no meaning. Just my imagination.
Maybe
Maybe not.
In the meantime, I will day dream and night dream. And if the lottery numbers show up in there, I may have to play.
Sweet dreams my friends, and may all your good dreams come true!
Love big,
Lorene

One of my favorite phrases…
“You bring about what you speak about”
When I post in the mornings I try to be positive and motivating. Write something that may cause people to stop for just a second and ponder. Maybe convince someone they really do matter, contrary to the negativity they live with every day.
As I was scrolling thru my Facebook page, I am noticing more and more positive posts. Some from people that used to post about their worries and complaints.
I’m not saying I am the reason for that. What I am saying is I speak it and I see it coming back to me.
Reading positivity is a great way to start your day. I usually scroll past the gloom and doom. I do not need that negativity in my life and neither do you.
Turn it around and post in a positive way. It can be done!
For example, if you were laid off, yes that can be tragic. All you post is the negative side, harping on poor me, I don’t have a job, how will I pay the bills, it’s not fair….
You’ve seen the posts. And yes, you feel sorry for the person, and then you start thinking, wow, what if that happens to me….and negative thoughts start running rampant.
Its contagious!!!
Would you rather read that or…
New doors are opening for me today. After being laid off I am reaching for new opportunities! I am taking my experience to a new level and will find the perfect fit for me and my family. Send all your good vibes this way!
And guess what….
It will happen.
You bring about what you speak about.
So speak of joy, happiness and prosperity.
Speak of love, friendship and opportunity.
You will have a fabulous life! ❤
Lorene

Good morning!
It is cold and wet outside but nice and warm in my little dark room, coffee warming my insides.
I’ve been seeing the “Get to know me” memes and lists where you fill in the blanks and swap secrets about yourself. I’ve played a few and they are fun. Good information for future reference if you want to surprise someone with a thoughtful gift.
It’s also good information for identity thieves when you post the answers to what is a normal security question like your first grade teachers name or favorite pet.
Be careful when posting those answers but have fun.
I decided to post a list of my answers to numerous questions I’ve seen.
Let’s start with food….always my favorite.
How do you like your…..
Steak: definitely a ribeye, rare to mid rare, well seasoned, no steak sauce. If I’m using steak sauce, the steak sucks.
Eggs: I’ve never met an egg I didnt like. I prefer a running yolks, so over easy, sunny, poached are my favs on top of almost anything. But will savor a well made omelet filled with yummies that have been heated first and melted cheese. Best way to ruin an omelet, put cold fillings inside. Yuk
Coffee: fresh ground beans are best, you catch the aroma twice. I like it black, but if its bitter a splash of cream. Real cream.
Alchohol: I love a good margarita, top shelf of course. Vanilla or peach crown Neat. Great sipping whiskey to warm you up.
I could go on and on about food items. It’s my thing. Let’s see what else I like.
Superheroes: all of them! My office is covered in them. Iron man got me hooked, and no, Tony Stark is not my password.
Michael Keaton IS BATMAN. And I’ve wanted to be Wonder Woman since Lynda Carter was spinning around and lassoing bad guys. Then there is Aquaman. Jason, be still my beating heart. ❤❤
Books, I have no favorites. I try to read How to win friends and influence people once a year or so. I have over 100 cookbooks, imagine that. Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Maxwell, I love motivational and self help. And journals. Blank pages just waiting for my thoughts. Sometimes it’s a recipe, poem, or just doodles.
Makeup: no, not really. I wear mascara. I have eyes that disappear behind my glasses. I didnt wear makeup in school. Mainly because it costs money and that was not a priorty for me. I focused on my skin and still do. I’ll put my face on for special occasions. It’s like the ultimate filter, I dont use filters when I do a selfie. What you see is what you get. So applying make up is hard for me. I’m impressed with woman who can contour, shade, all that stuff and look like a beautiful China doll.
Dogs or Cats: as a child, we had both. Over the years I’ve developed a slight allergy to cats. I’m a fur momma. I love furbabies. We have our Maddie that goes to work with Daddy and guards us from the evil delivery person or door knocker. She basically a glorified doorbell. But shes ours and a member of our family.
Wow, this is getting long and I’m out of coffee. Maybe more another day. Or if you want to know something, ask. If its it’s none of your business I’ll tell you. 😁😁
Have a great day and enjoy the things you love, try something new, you may love it too!
Lorene

I’m sitting alone again this morning with my coffee. Sometimes I wonder what goes through some of your minds when I talk about a quiet, dark room. If you are a stranger do you wonder if I’m writing from my jail cell? Padded room? Closet?
I’ve had friends come over and ask, “ok, where’s this dark room you are always in?”
Its our living room, TV room, whatever you call it. I sit on the couch, pull my footstool up, place my coffee on it, (I don’t have a coffee table)and gather my thoughts.
I text with my early bird friends, send a few motivational texts, meditate, scroll Facebook and if something pops in my head to write about, I end up here.
Note this morning I really don’t have a subject. Just clearing out odds and ends in my head.
I have a 4 day week. I’ll cram 5 days of work into it believe me.
Friday will start a weekend retreat with friends.
I’ll be cooking, which soothes my soul and decompressing from 2019. There is beautiful scenery outside the cabin and beautiful souls inside.
The perfect combination for meditation and fellowship.
Oh, and there is coffee.
And a dark quiet room early in the morning where I can sit and enjoy the sounds and shuffle my thoughts.
Maybe even share them here.
Enjoy your Monday my friends.
Lorene

Good morning
I am getting ready for my last day of the work week. It’s been a challenging week. I wont go into detail and bore you, or entertain you depending on your outlook on life.
We will just celebrate today.
Not because its Friday, but because if you are reading this we woke up on the right side of the dirt.
Not everyone gets that privilege. I am fortunate to still be here. I plan on living a long healthy life. I have a different outlook on life and living now. It stems from the Event that happened June 1, 2018.

The day I died.
It was a Friday at the shop. Beautiful day, having a cocktail after work with Big Daddy and a friend when I started to feel bad. That’s the only word I could use to describe the feeling.
Bad
I knew something was wrong but couldn’t tell what. There was no pain, just a feeling.
Then it happened.
My face went white, lips blue. My eyes rolled back, my left arm pulled in tight to my body.
No heartbeat, pulse or breathing.
My friend was yelling for Troy and yelling my name. I could hear their voices, far away and muffled while I was in a white room.
At least I felt like it was a room. I could see nothing but white. No shapes, objects, not even my own hands.

Everything was a bright. Blinding white.
I was speaking with someone. Actually 2 someone’s. Just voices. I do not recall if they were Male or female. I like to think it was my mom and dad. Nor do I remember what we were talking about.
The entire time I could hear my name being yelled, behind me somewhere. I was trying to ignore it and focus on the voices before me.
I finally turned around and yelled “why are you yelling at me?”

That’s when my eyes opened. I was face to face with Troy and my friend, they were almost as white as the room I was just in.
Troy replied “because you died”
I laughed a bit and said ” yeah right, but I do think I peed myself.” When in actuality I had lost my bowels. After a quick shower at the shop they took me to the ER.
I wont go into details now, maybe one day I’ll write the entire story from beginning to end, if anything to document it for myself. But after almost a year of testing every organ in my body, brain, and even a heart cath, I am healthier than most women my age. No stroke, heart attack nothing.

No reason for what happened.
Just a quick visit to a beautiful place.
Quiet, peaceful, painless and comforting.
And a lesson.
This is not my last adventure.
There will be another. And although I’m not in any hurry to start that one, I’m not afraid .

Live each day like its your last.
Enjoy the smells, sounds and sights each day.
Take the time to sit and enjoy your solitude and surroundings. And of course that first cup of coffee.
And love.
Love big.
And be sure and the tell the people that have an impact on your life how you feel, they matter and make a difference.
Love you all, big dreams, big rewards!
Lorene

Make life fun!
Sometimes, well a lot of times we have to do things we really don’t want to do.
For whatever reasons, like wearing socks.
There are some cold mornings I need to, so I make it fun.
It is especially fun with dress clothes.
Going to the office instead of staying umder the covers at home like a good adult, can suck the fun out of a day if you let it.
By wearing these silly socks, I could look down through out the day and remind myself….
I am in charge of my happiness, and today I choose to be happy!
Even in socks.
My socks protect me.
My socks keep me warm.
My socks make me smile.
My socks make others laugh.
All of that makes me happy.
So when I HAVE to wear them,
I am happy.
I’m not HAPPY!
I am happy.
So no matter what kind of day follows you around, be sure and ward off the bad with something to remind you of the good
And be happy, or better yet…
Be HAPPY!!
Love big,
Lorene