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Good morning, I have my coffee in hand, my daily routine playing out.
Comfort.

I slept through last night’s storm. I suppose growing up in Oklahoma conditions you. We would all be walking zombies if we didn’t sleep every time there was a storm.
I’ve learned to tune out noises but my brain can still pick up warnings.

Troy has asked me before how I can read a book, sitting next to him while he watches television. How can I concentrate?
I guess it’s focus.
Or a Mom thing.

Moms can tune out everyday noise that kids make.
All the screaming, laughing, fussing etc. But when there is a cry of pain, Mom senses pick up on it. It’s like our brain categorizes the sounds entering our ears and prioritizes them.

I’ve kept that superpower. I use it in everyday life.
I can hear the everyday noises of the kitchen, timers going off, pans clanking, talking, singing, phones ringing, water running etc.
Then there is that occasional crash. Something hitting the floor and I’m up and out of my office to make sure no one is hurt.

I am filtering out sounds.
Just like I filter out conversations.
Hearing and listening are 2 different activities.
I will listen to you all day long, but refuse to hear complaining, self pity, negativity and hate.
That stuff will consume you!
My mental health is on the line.
I love you and will be there for you, but you have to project what you want to return.

People will absorb the hate and negative talk like it is gospel. I don’t understand how it is easier to believe and talk negative than it is to spread and speak the positive.

Shut that storm out.
Listen for the warning signals.
Project sunshine and it will return.
Repel the negative.
It’s much more fun to be happy.
I promise.

Lorene 2020

Coffee….
The second best part of waking up.

Look at this view.
Colors only God could provide.
The every day miracle of the sun rising, reminding us of the promise of a new day.
Fresh and clean,
a new start.

Every day is a new beginning.
Yesterday is over, tomorrow is not here, put your focus on today.

How will you make today matter?
A kind word.
A gift of time.
A sweet note.
A smile.

We won’t discover the secrets of the universe but will find hope, happiness and love.
You just have to look.
You can find things in the oddest places.
Like in a sunrise, or smile, or a sweet note.

Today slips away into yesterday way to quickly to hesitate.
Once that happens, it’s gone.
“Should haves” and “could haves” mean nothing now.

Focusing on tomorrow steals from today.

Today is what I live for.
Now.
It’s all I’m promised, this very instant.
I will live for the moment.
It may be my last.

So today, right now, let me say…
I love you and so should you.
Enjoy the sunrise like it’s your last.
Live like you want to be remembered.
Love Big.

Lorene 2020

Beautiful porch morning. I can feel and smell fall in the air. Cool breeze, I could nap right here.

The changing of the seasons can be subtle or abrupt. One day is bright and sunny, the next may have snow on the ground.

My seasons have been like this also.

Childhood was an abrupt change to motherhood, a season that lingers all through life. A favorite season of mine but most difficult. A season of learning, mistakes, joy, Pride, heartache, laughing, crying, wonder, worry, determination, sleepless nights, confusion, the list goes on.
Motherhood is a permanent season. It doesn’t end when you have an empty nest. We worry about our adult children, lose sleep, cry and pray every day that you taught them everything they need to make a good life.
No matter how successful they become, you are mom. Its your job to worry, applaud, smile and be there.
You are always that human “Google “, Dr. Phil, and “call a friend” hotline.
The easiest part of motherhood is just being there. The hardest is not being able to “fix” all their problems.

Then the season changes again, this time to a silver season.
Grand babies.
Your children’s motherhood or fatherhood season. Where you sit back and watch the learning, mistakes, joy, pride, heartache, laughs, tears…..you get it.

I’m enjoying this season of life. When this one changes, I hope its subtle and takes it’s time. I want to enjoy the cool breeze and clean air. I want it to linger as long as possible.

Enjoy the season you are in, it will change.
Lorene

Looking in the mirror this morning while getting ready for my day, I thought about my routine.

This week it is up at 4 am to help cover open slots at work.
Up earlier so I can get in my daily regimen of skincare. I truly believe this helps me to stay feeling younger than I am.

Regular trips to Rryon for my hair care, Vinnie for my nails and believe it or not, having a pizza when I can to keep that young girl inside me peeking out constantly.
I think she is sitting on the older me, telling her to wait her turn.

Sure these physical Pampers help a lot, but some things that money cant buy are big contributors to me working on immortality.

Hearing my grand kids laughing and seeing a toothless smile.
Playing games with our grown children and watching all that competitiveness come out. Troy is the worst, Erin is a close second.
Those unexpected calls or texts from the kids to just update me on their lives.
Classmate/friend reunions that bring back fun memories.

Here lately it’s been my quiet cup of coffee and time.
Time to just think of all for which I am grateful .
Favorite memories to start my day with a smile. Time that problems, worries and the such cant penetrate.

My fountain of youth time.
Shared with my magical bean elixir.

That’s my secret.

I hope you try it someday. We all have a spare 15 minutes to indulge ourselves. It could add years to your inner young person. Give them the strength to keep sitting on the older one.

Have a beautiful day full of new memory making time.
Time for a refill…
Lorene

Another early morning and coffee.

I need a mental health day.

A full day of what I want to do.
Not think, clean, work. Analyze, solve, move, understand, adult or cook.
Well, maybe cook
That relaxes me and I love feeding people.
I even put myself up for auction to cook brunch and cocktails. Proceeds to help a sick friend while off work.

We all need a day we can just be.
Recharge our batteries.
A calendar day with absolutely nothing penciled in except changing oxygen into carbon dioxide.
Front porch with a book, Netflix binge and pizza, day drinking, whatever your most relaxing activity.

Spend a day doing it.
Pamper yourself with time.
It is limited.
As wonderful as it is to share it with others our mental health needs the recharge.

Schedule yourself a little time.
You deserve it.
And you never know how much of it you have left.

Empty cup…time to move again.
Have a wonderful day, and an even better day alone.
Lorene

My coffee seems extra comforting this morning.

I think about my day ahead and the weeks behind me. It’s been a challenging year actually. There were times I wondered if I was the star of a reality show.

My life as a reality show.
🤩🤣
Better yet, a movie.
But who would play me?
I would imagine Angelina Jolie, but reality would probably cast Rosanne Barr.

Maybe both, a younger and older version of me.
It would have to be a comedy. I’m not a big drama person. I don’t have the time.
Would they have to over exaggerate my sarcasm for a laugh?
Probably not, just make my eye rolls vocal. That should do it.

My friends and adventures over the years….how many of you would want to change your name to protect, the uh hem, innocent. Lol
It would definitely have to start at the beginning, that August day in Massachusetts. My mother’s face. The look of a single mom that would repeat decades later on a February day.

This sounds more like a series.
One season could cover the Bistro Lorene years alone. That might get the highest ratings. The characters are wild and diverse. From the dish Nazi to the creation of the Dawa. Let’s not forget the tantrums by yours truly, I was such a perfectionist when it came to my food. I was a female version of Gordon Ramsey at times.

Every memory of my life could be a full blown episode.
I could go on but work is calling.

Maybe I’ll just write the book.
Complete with pictures.
I cant even imagine a title. 😮

Well, off to write more of my ongoing saga….
Have fun writing yours…

Lorene

Waiting patiently so I can make my first cup of coffee.

Yeah. Instant hazelnut. No time for a full pot.
But it works.

Wakes a few senses before my shower to wake the rest. Such a calming feel as I take that first sip.

Firsts
At 55 I have had plenty of firsts.
First breath, first kiss, first broken heart, first child. It would take forever to list them all.

Have you ever thought if you were part of someone else’s first?
I know I was a first child, first wife.

I wonder
Was I ever a first crush, first kiss?
Was I ever a first heart break? I hope not.
What about a first true love, soul mate or best friend?

We don’t walk this life alone. Everything we say or do influences someone else, some how, some way whether we know about it or not.

You will, at some point in time be someone’s first.
That could be an honor or a lesson.
You could be that first calming sip or first tear of hurt.

I will continue to have firsts.
Always try something new. It’s part of living and growing as a person.
Learn something new everyday.
Keep experiencing firsts.

Let someone know if they were a first for you. If they were a good memory or the encouragement you needed.
Let me be the first this morning to tell you..
I love you, you look awesome and you make a difference!
Lorene

Maddie was told no this morning. She is pouting because Daddy didnt take her to the shop.

Being told no sucks.

Sometimes it’s for our own good and we don’t even realize it.
Like the ones growing up…

Moms and dads say it almost instinctively.
No, you cant stay later than curfew, no you cant date that older boy, no you cant wear all that makeup and hell no, those shorts need to be in the trash, you’re not a hooker!

All those prayers you begged for something or someone and it never happened. You know the ones. Think back now, did you dodge a bullet? Would a yes have put you on the wrong track? God knew what he was doing.

How about when you have to tell yourself no.
When all the no’s from the past became experience and now you see why you have to be strong and tell yourself that is not a good idea.

Sometimes a no pushes us to be stronger. We should have gotten a yes, but it wasn’t time. We work harder and strive to get or be what we want to be so no is not an option.

No is a powerful word.

It can protect you.
Disappoint you.
Refocus you.
Strengthen you.
In Maddie’s case this morning, it may have disappointed her, but her snuggles make mom happy, and she gets over being mad.

When you are told no,
Stop
Look at the big picture
Move forward.
Love you all!
Lorene

Be someone that makes someone look forward to tomorrow.

Go back and read that again.

Those aren’t my words.
But I did repeat them several times this morning.
And they got me to thinking.
I have people in my life that make tomorrow worth waking up to and life more exciting. People I cant wait to see, text, hear from, hug, kiss or just watch in action.
People who make work feel not so much like work.
People who make me feel like I make a difference in their lives.

I try to have a smile for everyone. It may be the only one they see. Being positive and motivating isn’t just healthy for you, it can spread like wild fire.

Light that match, be that spark.

Someone is waiting and watching for you to make their day a little more bearable. Waiting for you to make them laugh or just smile.

You make a difference.
Yes, you.

So what are you waiting for? Go on, scoot!
Times a wasting!
Lorene 2019

It’s April and my office door has a trick or treat sign on it.
I did it.
On purpose.
The country has been a little crazy this year and I decided to join in the fun.
Trick or treat seems fitting.
The choice is yours.

With scores of people sheltering in place, I am still going to work. My staff and I are not saving lives, just feeding them. Unless you consider home made cinnamon rolls life saving….
We are considered essential as hospital employees.
It is business as usual.

I refuse to fall into the gloom and doom aspect of it all. I will laugh when appropriate, do my job, be there for my staff and make life as normal as possible.

I will smile behind my mask, you’ll see it in my eyes.
The world may be a little upside down right now, but that doesn’t mean I have to be.

Sure every day life has changed some, but I haven’t.

I refuse to just exist or be afraid of every cough I hear. I will respect the situation, but will not live in fear.

Live life large and Love Big.

You can’t put life on hold and be happy.
There is no magic wand to wave over the world, but there is the magic in you.
Use it.

Use it to feel as normal as you can, helping others do the same.
Use it to keep fear and panic from taking over your life.
Use it to spread a little laughter during a not so joyful time.

I pray you remain healthy, calm, smiling and magical.
Trick or treat my friends.
I choose treat!

Lorene 2020