Month: March 2021

Good morning!
Grab that coffee and come chat.
How was your yesterday?
Mine was pretty uneventful.
I have noticed that people are having panic attacks, anxiety and just having a hard time coping with this situation.
I truly understand, I have anxiety and panic attacks myself at times. I’ve learned to manage them with meditation and medication.
It’s easy to say, calm down it will all be ok.
It’s harder to apply that to the moment.
Easier said than done.
I try to be that optimistic, motivating friend. Yeah yeah, I know it can get annoying. It’s much more fun to sulk and withdraw sometimes. Go crawl in bed and cry. Speaking from experience, that doesn’t work.
It may feel better for a short while, but it doesn’t change a thing.
You get up, wipe your face and boom, it’s still there and you are still in a panic.
How you respond to this or any issue that may turn your life upside down is the key.
First breathe.
You are alive and well and able to take care of your family emotionally.
That is important.
Being strong together.
Prioritize your needs. Ask for help if something seems impossible. Help others if and when you can.
Breathe.
Practice social distancing. Think how much more exciting it will be to see everyone when this is over. This is a way to protect your loved ones. The perfect time to be selfish with your time and space.
Breathe
Use social media to spread cheer and laughter. Not gloom and doom. Yes, its serious, but we need to be able to laugh and enjoy life. Living in constant panic is not healthy.
And it’s contagious.
Do a Facebook live video with your family.
Challenge your friends to post one too. Have fun! It’s ok, really.
Breathe
Go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Covid-19 is not waiting outside your door to attack. It’s a hitchhiker moving from person to person or stopping off at places like countertops just waiting for a ride.
Your front porch or patio is the perfect place to soak up some rays and inhale some fresh air. Grab that natural vitamin D!
And breathe.
When you wake each morning, grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage, coffee, tea, cocoa, and get comfy.
Do not turn on the news.
Do not scroll social media.
Close your eyes,
Take a sip
Keep your eyes closed.
Listen to the quiet sounds.
Feel the air around round you.
Relax
Feel the comfort and love being sent to you from family and friends.
Send your comfort and prayers out to them.
Know you are not alone.
Inhale in all the wonderful possibilities for the day and exhale all the negativity.
Negative thoughts,
News reports,
Anxiety
Panic.
Blow it out.
Release it from your soul.
Smile
Breathe
I love you ❤
Lorene

Another weekend in the books.
I dont feel like I did a lot, but I was exhausted each day. My body is still recouping, I know, but I’m impatient and want it to hurry up.
I need to get back into my old routine before this one becomes habit.
I’ve been napping and going to bed early most days. Sleeping in and missing my dark quiet time. Sleeping hard and uninterrupted.
And dreaming.
Wow, the strange dreams I’ve had.
Seems every night my mind takes on a directors role and plays a mini series for me while I sleep.
I know most of the actors, some personally, some in passing. Most are playing themselves others filling in other roles as needed.
No crazy zombie movies, mostly every day happenings with a twist.
Last night was about my grocery order that goes in every Monday at the hospital. I have until 4 pm. I was late, it was 10 til 4 and I couldn’t find my menus, I was in a new office and other things were distracting me. Not to mention another director needed help with the ordering system and I was trying to help him, but he kept disappearing. I was running from office to office trying to get work done
It felt like I was staying at work 24/7, sharing a dorm type room.
I woke up tired.
So I am on my second cup of coffee.
Alone, in my dark room.
How I’ve missed this comfort.
A self quarantine for a few hours.
But I was doing that before it was cool.
Putting my thoughts together for the day. First and foremost I will get the order done. Don’t need to not have food for the patients and staff, that would get ugly.
And pray we aren’t locked down in the hospital, sleeping in dorm type rooms.
I’m picky about overnight guests.
And I don’t wear pajamas.
The world outside has been a little crazy and apparently sneaking into my dreams a bit. I’m sure that’s all natural, but I’m ready for a break.
Work, shop and home are my travel plans each day.
I have always enjoyed the company of Big Daddy so he has no worries of being in close quarters with me for extended periods of time. It’s really not much of a change.
We have over 300 movies to watch if we get bored. I know how to cook, so staying home to eat isn’t a problem. I can pretty much make anything from what’s in the cabinet if food gets a little low. That’s actually how I got started cooking. Pantry cook.
I am going on and on now, so I’ll close this up.
Be safe, be smart.
If you are high risk, stay inside. Limit your contact. Call for help if you need it.
The rest of us, respect each others space now more than ever before.
Share, forward and retweet encouraging words, not panic.
Pray
And Love Big
From a distance.
We got this.
Much love,
Lorene

Oh my,
What is it about sitting in a cool, dark, quiet room drinking coffee and snuggled in a blanket that makes me feel so good?
I close my eyes and just breathe in deep.
Preparing for the day.
Its hard to move from my spot.
I know I should get ready, but I love the quiet.
I am not alone in the house, but I am alone with my thoughts.
I visualize my dreams developing and becoming the norm.
How my day will go when that happens.
Will it Change?
Not much.
Times like this is what got me to where I am today.
Time, sweat, tears. And lots of coffee.
As the saying goes….
It ain’t over til it’s over.
My second century will be epic.
Just follow me and see. If just for the laughs, oooo’s and ahhhhh’s. And maybe a few….”oh no she didn’t ‘s” and more than likely inappropriate behavior for my age.
But I will be having fun and loving big!
Lorene

A comforting view this morning.
I am back home enjoying my coffee, listening to Big Daddy lightly snore in the next room.
Home sweet home.
A brand new week.
Refreshed and ready to go.
Well, maybe not all that ready to go.
I could spend another week just thinking about life and eating good food. Snuggling with Troy and Maddie.
The perfect parts of life.
Today is another day to explore what life has in store for me. If I dont like it, I’ll change it , if I can’t change it, I will step over it and keep on going.
I am a creator.
I make my own destiny.
I will start this gorgeous Monday with quiet time and coffee. Wrapped in my soft blanket, scrolling spring break pictures and remembering each moment with good friends, good food and good souls.
Sometimes you have to slow down long enough to enjoy the moment.
Breathe.
Close your eyes and just feel.
It doesn’t have to be a week long adventure, it can be 10 minutes of your day.
10 minutes of just you.
Thoughts of calm.
Refocus
And big big love.
Lorene

I scrolled through my pictures this morning to find one I could share and possibly make someone else smile.
I don’t turn on the TV much because everything is about coronavirus.
Social media, The same.
Working in a hospital, I understand the importance of information. People fear the unknown. That said, the media has been nothing but opinions the past 4 years. Very little “just the facts ma’am” being broadcast. Just because an anchor is saying it, doesn’t make it facts.
Blasting pictures of empty shelves, long lines for bread and milk, pushing and shoving like Black Friday just spreads panic.
Stop
Just stop.
We should be spreading the ways to help prevent the spread and the contraction of this virus and any other that might come in the future.
Look at the facts.
Be proactive according to them.
The elderly have the highest susceptibility.
The virus can stay alive on stainless and plastic for up to 4 days. Other surfaces not so long. Clean touchable areas with bleach water and let air dry.
Wash your hands throughout the day.
Respect personal space.
Stay home if you have a fever or other symptoms.
Help be part of the solution not the problem.
The biggest pandemic we have right now is not the coronavirus,
Its pandemonium.
Post something positive today. There are people quarantined or just opting to stay indoors and social media is there only form of contact with others.
Be that person that brightens their day.
Not the one that fuels their anxiety.
This too shall pass.
Love each other.
From a distance for awhile, but still love.
And love big.
Lorene

Seems everyone will be home schooling for a while. Now is the time for a Life Skills Class.
Children can be taught different chores around the house.
How to make lunch with and without the use of a stove. Emergency maneuvers, why and when to call 911. What to say. What to do until help arrives.
Meditation
Financial matters like how to read a pay stub. Explain all the deductions. Retirement vehicles and the importance of starting early.
How to balance a checking account.
Perfect time to explain filing your taxes.
And why.
Civics
How our government works and why its important to vote.
How to change a tire
Gardening.
Canning
Making a menu for the week and grocery shopping on a budget.
Volunteering and the importance of giving our time to help others.
The list goes on, its a lifetime plan book.
Real life scenarios we just do naturally. Sometimes we don’t think to teach our children these things. We just assume they learn it in school. That’s not the case.
As parents our job is to prepare our children for the real world. Math, history and art are important aspects but life skills are a dying breed.
Teach independence.
Survival.
I don’t mean living through the zombie apocalypse, I mean being able to support yourself and not depend on someone else for your well being.
Take this time to know your children.
Really get to know them.
They spend half their day with other people, learning their values.
Make sure yours are instilled deep.
Turn the TV off.
Put the phones up.
Hug them.
Read together.
Be together.
And most importantly,
Love Big.
Lorene

I admit I haven’t opened my a bible in a long time. My relationship with my God is more one on one.
My prayers are more like conversations.
Just a little chat among friends.
I am one of God’s imperfect friends, and he still loves me and keeps me around. Even gave me a second chance at living one time.
He knows I drink. Not to excess.
Knows I Cuss (not as much as my Goodyear days)
I don’t go to a physical church building on Sundays for worship.
I don’t sit and read my Bible.
And we are still friends.
If you think that makes me a bad Christian, shame on you for judging and trying to do His job.
My job is to just love.
It’s hard sometimes, there are people that really push the limit. Those are the ones that need it more. But also the ones I sometimes have to let go and let God do his thing.
I am only human.
My prayers are sometimes interrupted just like any other conversation and then resume with, “sorry, where was I?”
It can be aloud or in my head.
But they are prayers.
Many a time I have requested he put his arm around my shoulder and hand across my mouth.
Many, many times.
He is the friend I have had from the beginning. Never has he not been there for me.
Anyway, opening my Bible. I let it open and asked for a little guidance, help with the craziness of the moment in the world right now. I’m not a panic type person and wont fall to the manic actions.
It opened to Psalm 77.
Good read.
Good reminder.
He’s been there before and is there now.
Who says God never answers.
He just uses the original text message.
No emojis
Timeless advice.
And He always reminds me to Love Big.
Lorene

Its rainy and chilly this morning.
Coffee is a Godsend.
So it is the proverbial RAINY DAY….
What have you saved for this day?
I’ve never really understood what “Save it for a rainy day” should entail. It sounds like the rainy day is hard times of some sort.
I like rainy days.
Rain washes away impurities.
It gives life to the plants and animals.
It softens and heals the hard cracked ground after days of heat from a blistering sun.
In the Bible it cleansed the land for 40 days and 40 nights. Actually it scrubbed the fire out of it, providing a new beginning.
Maybe that’s it.
A new beginning.
Save it for a new beginning.
So what do you save for a rainy day?
Is it money? That’s the obvious answer I suppose.
Your expensive perfume? Special occasions only.
That expensive night out with someone, dinner, theater, the sky is the limit.
The new car you’ve always wanted, drive it off the showroom floor.
A dream vacation. An exotic beach or maybe the Alps.
Visiting friend or family you haven’t seen in years.
Telling that certain person your feelings.
And what if that rainy day doesn’t come?
Tomorrow is not promised.
Wear that perfume today.
Go see that someone you miss.
Live for today.
I’m not saying go spend your nest egg like the world ends tomorrow, I’m saying enjoy today.
Do those special things you have been waiting for the right time to do.
The right time is now.
You’ve planned it in your head a million times.
Treat yourself.
Not everything has a price tag or takes a lot of time.
Start with the simple things you desire.
Enjoy the life you’ve been building.
Don’t forget to stop and smell the coffee, slow down and have a cup.
Don’t just watch the rain.
Lorene

Woke up to geese talking, after storm waves, cloudy sunrise and a beautiful view.
The geese are letting the waves carry them to the shore line, where they fly back, water land and take the ride again.
A peaceful, easy morning, for all of us. I will steer clear of the water and settle for the deck and coffee.
The geese are in pairs, a few at a time come up to the deck looking for breakfast. While the others just honk about it.
A small boat carrying fishermen head out to annoy some fish.
The waves splash up against the cabin, sometimes hard enough to feel it rock.
There is a chill in the air and it smells fresh and clean.
Coffee went fast.
Time for more.
I see blue breaking through the clouds.
Its going to be a beautiful day.
Love big
Lorene

First morning alarm since my surgery. And my first early, dark room quiet time with my coffee.
I didnt miss the alarm however my crazy morning thoughts are oh so welcomed.
I’ve been released to desk duty, after promises to my doctor and HR director. I’ll have plenty of paperwork to do. I’ll be interviewing for a few openings also.
I’m ready to see my work tribe.
They have held down the fort the past week, short handed too. And for the next three weeks of my light duty, they will be doing the same.
I’ve followed doctor’s orders this past week. That’s a huge thing if you know me. It’s hard for me not to do what I want. And for the next few weeks, I’ll be a good girl.
My entire schedule is so off kilter. I shut off my alarms, slept in, watched more television in the past week than I have in the past 6 months and watched life just go by.
I don’t like it.
I have my routine for a reason. It keeps me being me. My morning meditation is so good for my mind and soul. Preparing for my day, breaking down what obstacles I may encounter and expecting the best outcome.
Seeing my work peeps, exchanging weekend stories or family happenings. Messaging friends near and far, letting them know they are in my thoughts.
Day to day life.
Last week seemed to put that on hold.
I spent several days alone.
I love my own company, but I could not be a hermit, that’s for sure. I am just the right amount of social.
That said, turning off my phone to sleep or take a nap was a new experience. I always make sure I am there for everyone or anyone that may need me. I rested longer than normal and the world didn’t fall apart because I didn’t answer every message in a matter of seconds. My rest wasn’t interrupted by beeps, whistles or tones.
I forgot what life was like before cell phones.
Yes, I’m that old.
Downtime is good for you whether you know it or not. I found that out the hard way, but my body is in need of a much welcomed rest. I should probably schedule a day here and there in the future. Make it a part of my routine. Cut myself out of the rat race for 24 hours to decompress and rest.
My cup is empty and one coffee will not do it this morning. So I’m off for a refill and search for stretchy pants to wear this morning.
Have a wonderful day.
I missed you all.
Lorene