Month: February 2021

I haven’t written in the mornings in a while. It’s been kind of crazy this year. There are some days I have things heavy on my mind and don’t share them here.
I am in Georgia at this moment. I have been since Friday. My father has been struggling to overcome a few surgeries with complications the past 5 months.
When I received the text on Thursday, “Can you come?” I did.
This is not the type of family reunion you enjoy.
I held his hand as he took his final breath. I am grateful I was here to see him and tell him I loved him once more to his earthly body. I’ll speak with him as I do with my mom and daddy when I need someone to talk to.
Not everyone knows our story, but he gave me 3 sisters and a brother to add to my family. A sister in law, their children and grandchildren, welcomed me into the family.
I also gained a mother. Joanna welcomed me with open arms and I will love her like my own.
I only had 20 plus years with him, learning about the family, visiting when possible. He never forgot me, for that I am thankful. I hate to think if we had never found each other.
Knowing him never took away from my past, but added to my future.
I love you Dad.
Thank you for my orneriness, yes, I got it from you. And thank you for the family. We do have more in common than we realize.
I was trusted to write his obituary. I know I did not do it justice, but I am honored just the same.
Rest in peace.
GEORGE ELI SOLOCK
You may have noticed a brightness in sky at 2:00 pm Saturday, February 20th, 2021, at that moment, Angels escorted George Eli Solock to be reunited with family and friends in Heaven. Just minutes later, the world became a lesser place for those that know him. They will tell stories about George for years to come and he will continue to be that husband, father and friend, walking with them and telling them they are doing it wrong. Said lovingly of course with a gruff in his voice and a twinkle in his eye.
George was a simple, yet complex man, a Navy Veteran, 2nd Amendment supporter, Conservative, all round Red Blooded American. He physically defended our country and values when young while wearing a Navy uniform and continued to voice his opinion and support for our nation until the end. He loved life, family, friends and country. Arguing about any of that would get you nowhere.
Retired life gave him the time to enjoy the finer things in life. Time with his wife Joanna, children and grand children, coffee on the porch watching nature in the back yard and feeding his cat buttermilk in the morning. He loved fishing at Troope Creek Marina and shooting clay pigeons with his brother in law Richard. He loved his guns and the right to own them. George and Joanna loved to travel with Brenda, Richard, Judy, Lou and Steve and enjoyed exploring the beautiful country he fought to protect.
They also loved each other’s company at home watching westerns and just enjoying life together.
George was born December 30, 1942 to Lorene Iacano in Versailles Kentucky.
He attended Shaw high school in East Cleveland Ohio where he met and dated his first wife, Laural Sanzo, and enlisted in the Navy in 1961.
In 1962 George married his high school sweetheart Laural and became the father of 2 gorgeous baby girls, Lisa Marie and Michelle Marie.
Between his first and second marriage, another daughter was born to Orchid Crespo from Key West Florida, Lorene Marie. George didn’t have a great imagination when it came to middle names.
In 1967, while stationed in Brunswick, Georgia he met Joanna Mosley, married in 1968 and became a father again, this time inheriting a beautiful daughter Reanee and handsome son Kenneth Lowell.
George led a full life, after leaving the Navy in 1970 while stationed in Hawaii, the family moved back to Brunswick where he worked in construction as a heavy duty equipment operator until January of 2005.
He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather.
George was a proud man.
Proud of his family, country and beliefs.
He passed that down to his children and in turn grand children and great grandchildren.
He has a legacy that will go on forever.
A total of 5 children, Lisa Marie Andrews, husband Jeff, Michelle Marie Georgiana, husband Thomas (Bubba), Lorene Marie Wood, husband Troy, Reanee Hoffman, Kenneth Lowell Shaw, wife Vanessa, 16 grandchildren, 21 and ½ great grandchildren. He was also the fur father to Jake and Piper, his cats.
He was preceded in death by his Mother Lorene, Brother Mike, Cousin-Brother Ray Woolums and Jake the cat.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brunswick animal shelter where he adopted Jake and Piper would be appreciated.
George being George did not want a fancy funeral or a big fuss made over his passing. He told his wife Jo, just have a party at the house with family and friends. And so we will and you can join us Tuesday, February 23rd, 4:00 pm at his son Ken’s home 1200 Myers hill road. Brunswick Georgia.

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 farfetched as the others. Maybe it was the possibility of landing that life changing job.
Wife 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

Having Valentine’s Day as your anniversary can have it’s advantages. Scratch that, no, it doesn’t. Going out to eat is near impossible, I usually end up cooking. The price of anything romantic is twice the price of last Friday. However, thanks to Facebook, I can see the years of anniversaries I have shared with Troy Wood.
These are a few of our adventures. They are almost daily! Life with Troy is one adventurous day after another.
Today marks 15 years.
We have grown together and changed inside and out as you can see. He started with dark hair. LOL
For every spat, we have had 200+ agreements.
We have gone to bed mad, but always snuggled. Being mad doesn’t mean I don’t love him, it just means he’s wrong and hasn’t admitted it yet. 🙂
Amazing how you wake up happy.
Thank you all for being a part of this journey. There is so much more to see and do, I suggest you stick around! The best is yet to come!
Tonight, when you celebrate the massacre of St. Valentine, think of us!
‘CAUSE WE ARE KILLING IT!”
I love you Big Daddy, way behind my back!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Big Daddy and me.
We are at the shop, his man cave if you will. Girls are allowed, if there is a HeMans women haters club, I am unaware.
That face.
I just love that face.
His trademark hats, mustaches and bowling shirts.
Today marks 17 years of wedded bliss.
17 years of being my Valentine.
17 years of learning to meld two families.
We didn’t do a very good job of that.
What we did do was survive it.
Together.
We don’t love each other as much as we did the day we said I Do.
It’s so much more. And for different reasons.
Over the past 17 years we have learned so much about each other, how we tick, what we need and don’t need and when.
And learn more each day.
How to love.
We love Big.
We are a team. We protect each other, our backs and our reputations. Our family, our livelihood. Nothing can come between us.
His arms are my safe space.
If the world collapsed around us today, I am not afraid. I have my big ol redneck to take care of me.
I know he is the one person on this planet that would trade his life for mine.
That is a feeling that is unexplainable.
A feeling I wish for you.
I know this sounds like a novel boasting a cover with some long haired handsome man on horseback riding along the beach at sunset, and in a way it’s my romance story.
But with a hotrodder behind the wheel of a roadster saying, jump in baby, let’s go for the ride of our lives.
I’m glad I jumped in.
The ride has been amazing.
And there are so many more roads to travel.
Happy Anniversary my love.
Thanks for picking me up and showing me what it feels like to have the wind in my face and riding shotgun on the best of life’s journeys.
I love you Troy Wood.
Way behind my back.
Sweet Momma
Lorene

This man.
He still makes my heart skip a beat when he walks into a room.
Today marks 18 years of marriage.
Many people thought it wouldn’t last.
Our courtship was fast and a whirlwind of 3 months before he proposed on Christmas.
But we knew each other for 10 plus years before that.
He worked with me on night shift so he experienced my grumpy side as well as my bright cheery side on day shift.
If you can deal with that, you can deal with anything.
He would use a phone in my office to call Karen, his wife, to check on her and the kids. I would listen to how he spoke to her, the love and concern in his voice. The time he took to call and speak with her. It would make me smile to know there were men like Troy Wood still out there. The old fashion, open the car door kind of men. They are few and far between. I had just been through my second divorce. I would ask the good Lord, “why can’t I find a man like that?”
A tragic accident ripped his life apart.
He lost Karen.
When we heard the news at work, my heart broke. I cried for him and his babies. He was such a good man, it was hard to fathom such a loss.
I don’t know who was put in whose path for healing, but it happened quickly.
All of a sudden we were together mending hearts and lives. Putting our lives back together, together.
Some people thought it was too soon.
We were too different.
Lived in different towns.
Lived different lives.
City girl and country boy.
Apparently, God had a plan and perfect timing.
And today, 18 years later, the proof is in the pudding.
Once again, it is happening so quickly.
18 years.
I am excited to see what the future holds. While I am waiting, I will enjoy my old fashioned man, let him pull my chair out and help me put my jacket on. The sweet text messages through out the day, a heart ❤, a kiss 💋, just to let me know I am on his mind.
He is a keeper.
I am fortunate, God thought I was worthy to have a man like that.
Happy Anniversary my love. Thank you for enjoying life with me.
I love you way behind my back and madly.
Lorene

27° feels like 14°
I don’t want to feel 14
I want to at least feel my age! Brrr
Outside is not appealing to me today.
I’m inside, sipping my coffee wearing house shoes.
That’s all.
House shoes.
Don’t act surprised, I’ve told you before I run around naked in the house. It helps me be comfortable in my skin.
My feet were cold, hence the house shoes.
Its always easier to stay in the comfort of your own home. Or circle.
Venturing out can be cold and cruel at times.
Unwelcoming
Some of the people you meet arent comfortable in their skin so they criticize yours, sometimes making you doubt your own existence, your clothing choice, hairstyle or even what you choose to eat.
I know people talk about me, have secret nicknames they call me.
I love it!
You know why.
I’m in their heads.
Something about me makes them think of me a lot! Good thoughts or bad, they are consumed by me.
I had a woman comment on my skirt once, it was far from a compliment, saying….well now, THAT skirt is very different.
I looked at her, sitting alone, not a smile to be seen and smiled the biggest smile I could muster and responded…YES! THANK YOU! different just like me! Why be normal? Have a great day!
I chose that skirt because it was different. Remember the game TETRIS?
Your goal was to fit the pieces together.
Well, when you make them fit in,
They disappeared.
Hmmmm
I kind of like being that fruit loop in a world of cheerios. And you should too!
Be you! No one else can do that!
Many have imitated, but none have mastered being like me.
I change every day.
I grow.
I evolve.
I like me,
And my company.
And I’m not afraid to wear that different skirt in public or nothing at home.
I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.
Who wants to be tea anyway?
I’m more a shot of fireball.
Some can handle it, some cant.
Most will just sit back and watch the show.
I wonder what fireball in coffee tastes like…
Never mind, time to put some clothes on.
I hope you have the most wonderful, different day!
Be you!
Love Big!
Lorene

And just like that, everyone was reaching out into the universe for balance.
Well played NASA, well played.
I have a secret I’m going to share.
You can use the powers of the universe on a daily basis.
Now that you’ve made your brooms stand alone, try the trick on yourselves. It’s not really a trick. The broom didn’t stand itself up.
You did it.
You stopped what you were doing, focused on making that broom stand at attention. Your hands were gentle and coaxing, you told the broom…you can do it.
You expected that broom to stand alone.
Slowly you pulled away your hands, the crutch that was holding it in place and backed away.
It started to sway a bit and you reached out to support it once more, imagining it standing alone, long enough to snap a picture for Facebook.
You slowly back away, giving it space.
And
TADA!
YOU DID IT!
It’s amazing what we can do with a little focus and balance.
Now, using the same process, balance YOU.
You made a broom do it.
You had more faith in that broom than you have for yourself on a daily basis.
Tsk tsk
The powers of the universe are yours for the taking. There is enough to go around.
Pray for it
Meditate for it
Reach for it
Balance yourself
It’s not one day a year that we have to wait for an alignment. Draw that energy daily.
Absorb it.
Be filled with it.
Post THAT picture on Facebook.
Love Big
Lorene

Do you ever wonder about your existence?
Why you are here?
I’ve been told there is a reason for everything, God has a plan for you.
But do you ever wonder what it is?
I have often wondered what my contribution to mankind is or was.
Is my purpose complete?
Is it ongoing?
Was it a chain of events? opening a restaurant, hiring someone who would later perform the Heimlich on a patron, saving his life?
When I took the time to chat with someone who later said it was the reason they did not put a gun to their head, was that my purpose?
Was it the time I paid someone’s electric bill?
Or when I secretly purchased a soldier’s lunch?
Maybe volunteering to ring bells at Christmas, that money feeding a family or sending a child to camp.
Encouraging someone to follow their dreams?
Or when all I could do was hug a hurting friend?
If there was a flashing sign saying….
THIS IS IT, YOUR PURPOSE FOR BEING HERE,
Would I stop being kind?
Stop volunteering?
Stop hugging or taking the time to chat with someone?
God, I hope not.
I truly believe knowing I helped someone, no matter how small makes my existence worth it.
Maybe that’s their purpose.
Making a difference in my life.
Validation for my existence.
Full circle.
Treat each act as though it is your purpose.
The results may be for you.
Love hard.
Lorene

I swear sometimes I work for the weekend.
I’m excited the weekend is coming like I have these extravagant plans.
Sometimes I do have plans.
Sometime they fall through or just change for one reason or another.
Take this weekend for example.
Plans didnt pan out for saturday so I stayed home.
In my pajamas.
I organized a few things for caterings, did laundry, snuggled with Maddie,
and I deliberately took a nap.
I paused Netflix and took an hour nap.
I will fall asleep watching a movie. Not on purpose, it just happens.
This time I laid on the couch, looked at the clock and said to myself just an hour.
My body needed refreshing.
It had been a work week that seemed to last a month.
So from 240 until 345, I slept.
And it felt good.
So I did it again on sunday.
Apparently my body was talking to me.
I should listen more.
I push and push to exhaustion at times.
That is not healthy.
And these days I am more concerned about health. Extending my time on this planet.
As good as my reasons for relaxing an entire weekend are, on sunday night I feel like I’ve wasted it. If I had accomplished everything I imagined while sitting with my feet up, this house would be amazing!
I’m settling for comfortable.
Homey
Lived in.
Kick your shoes off and make yourself at home, place.
I am not OCD. Although there are times I’d love to be, if just for a weekend.
Who am I kidding, I’d implode.
Back to my weekends.
I am not the wild and crazy teenager, nor Grandma Moses.
I hope to be snuggled somewhere in the middle of the two.
Maybe I just need a recharge weekend to get ready for the next one.
The next one is my anniversary weekend.
So maybe those naps are just what I needed.
Its monday and I am once again thinking about all the things I should have done, I needed to do, while sipping my coffee.
To include buy more coffee…..
I’ll do that Saturday,
Between naps.
Today, I start working for the weekend.
Cheers ☕
Lorene