Sitting in the dark again with my coffee, thinking about my last birthday. I turned 55 this month. I wonder where the time went. Jeez. Seems just yesterday I was running with high school buddies. 43 years of 55 I have worked, longer if you count mowing yards from 8 until 12 years old.
I constantly find things to do and learn. I’m afraid if I slow down I wont start back up.
Full time at the hospital, AFLAC Agent, instructor at the tech center (cooking classes) private chef….that’s just my paid positions now.. Shouldn’t I be thinking of retirement? I do. But then what? Hmmmm I’m tired, but not tired enough to quit.
Keeping busy keeps me young. My children are now in their 30’s and I have a grand daughter that is running with her high school buddies.
Life comes full circle. And I am enjoying the ride. Lorene
Another day in paradise. Well, my paradise. I wake up next to someone that loves me. He must if you know anything about me. I can be a little difficult at times. I call it independent. It’s taken a few decades to realize how relationships should be. The joy of being with someone is you WANT to, not NEED to. When I was young, it was find a nice boy, get married, have babies….well, I did all that backwards lol. I learned to take care of me and mine. The freedom that gives you is amazing. You are more observant of how you are being treated, you don’t tolerate unhappiness for fear of being alone. You like your own company. When you choose a partner because you love their company and they compliment and complete you, not take care of you financially the difference is world changing. Love yourself first. Respect who you are. Be self sufficient in all ways before inviting someone to share that with you. Let them be your partner, supporter, cheerleader and lover. You be the same for them. Life will be paradise. Lorene
There is just something about that first sip of hot coffee. It travels right through you. It doesn’t matter if it 100° or 10°, the feeling is always welcomed.
This morning my first sip is a toast to Friday. A productive week and a celebration weekend of friends joining in marriage.
You can receive blessings any time in life. You just have to be ready every moment of every day, and expect it!
Make your own happiness! Allow others to be apart and contribute but don’t wait around for someone else to do the work.
99% of my days start with that sip that touches my soul. My first taste of happiness for the day. Which makes me desire more. More happiness More smiles More laughter
I’ve noticed that some people just are not happy. Obviously they don’t want to be or they would do something about it. It is a controlled feeling and you are in control whether you realize it or not.
Some of these unhappy people can not stand happy people. They try so hard to spread their gloom and doom. I guess misery does love company. Instead of trying to catch the “Happy Bug”, they want to bring you down. I wish they would realize how dangerous that is. Infecting people with misery, and passing that on to others makes for a dark world.
Have you looked outside lately? Lots of misery loving company. When being happy is so much easier and better for the soul. Better for those around you.
I am sure some people just enjoy being in the middle of drama. Stirring the pot, being the center of attention. Making themselves happy by making others miserable. Hmm That’s power. Power only you can give them. So hang on to it. Send them on their way with your brilliant smile and laughter.
Own your happiness and rule it with an iron fist. For those of you who choose unhappiness? You are missing out on life.
I was asked why I did not take off work when I had my accident. I am not a glutton for punishment and I must admit, it was probably the hardest work week of my life to date.
I’ve worked with the flu, kidney stones and even while in labor. But alone at work, (opening the kitchen at 430 the next person arriving at 6), light headed from a concussion, worried I would pass out and it would be a while before anyone found me. Well, that was a little scary.
But I had made a promise. I was covering an employee that was taking much needed time off that week. No way was I calling and canceling that. She is a Rock star employee and had not taken any time, plus works 60 hour weeks because of staffing issues.
So the answer to that question? Loyalty and work ethic.
Loyalty to those that are the same to me. The ones that go the extra mile, automatically without question. In this instance, a team member, my work family. One that stands by me, rolls her eyes, vents behind closed doors, laughs and says No, but is here day in and day out.
Work ethic. This is my responsibility. It is my job to protect and support my staff. They are needed way more than I to run this department. If I took off every time I didn’t feel good, or just didn’t want to go in, I would not have a job. Of course I’d rather stay home snuggled with a fur baby! But life doesn’t work that way.
Supporting each other makes life so much easier. Like any relationship, give and take. Be the leader or the team member you would need. The one that is loyal, responsible and has great work ethic. Always there when needed. You will be rewarded.
Set the example. What you do is louder than what you say. Respect each other. And of course, Love big,
Time Its a precious thing the youth waste and the old beg for more.
We are all allotted time. No one knows when our ration will end. It can not be bought. Nor can it be sold. It can be stolen from us, but not used by the thief. Our time will simple vanish. It is as valuable as the air we breathe. Once it passes, it becomes memory. The time itself gone forever.
As personal and valued as it is, it can be shared. But only simultaneously. We can not share our time to extend another’s. We can share our time to make life better.
The most precious thing you can share with someone is your time. When someone shares with you, remember there is no rewind button. The choice to spend this moment with you is a nonrefundable gift.
I appreciate when my friends and family spend time with me. I log each minute in my memory to enjoy over and over again. I know how few seconds we have in a lifetime, and knowing you made the choice to share some with me, humbles me and honors me.
I never waste my time with people. If I share my time with you, you are important to me. Time marches on. It stops for no one. The next hour may contain my last breath. Or yours. So I will live for this one.
Don’t waste a minute with anger or hate. It will consume all your happy moments left. Fix what you can, accept what you can not.
You don’t know if you have the time to heal all wounds. Do that now. You may not have time later to apologize. Do that now. Say I love you today, the sun may not come out tomorrow. Do it now.
I love my time with you in the mornings. Putting down my thoughts. Hoping they will stand the strength of time.
Early mornings all week. Decided to stop getting ready for work and enjoy a cup of coffee in the dark cool TV room. I miss opening the Bistro and my coffee time at the bar, in the dark watching out the front doors.
Almost a meditation time for me. I should do it daily but feel getting to work early should be the norm, not flying in at a minute to 8.
Early is on time. On time is late. And late is unacceptable.
But that is the leader in me. I wish everyone took pride in what they do, ownership of their positions. You cant teach work ethic. You have to lead by example.
My thoughts wandered. This was about alone time. In the quiet with only my thoughts. What can I do to improve my position? What can I do to excel? One quiet cup of coffee, in a dark cool room can slow things down enough to help gather my thoughts. I cant be everything for everyone, but I can be loyal to me, my own cheerleader, motivator when needed. Do what makes me happy, go where I’m most appreciated. Cup is empty. Time to get ready for the day. Be loyal to you. Be happy. Be the best at what you do. Surround yourself with positive people. It makes a world of difference, I promise. Take the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee to just enjoy your own company. Lorene…..
3 weeks ago today, according to my husband and brother in law, I became an official redneck. I fell INTO a pontoon boat.
The pictures below are a progression of my healing. The first taken when I started the day. The last was taken this morning.
My accident was purely my doing. A mix of peach crown, new glasses, heat, age and lack of experience traveling the boat ladder.
Those of you that know me well, know I do not swim. I have been working on my fear of water on weekends with friends. And I am sensitive to the heat of summer. However, the cool water kept the heat at bay and was enjoyable. Rarely was I in water over my head, and if I was I had a life jacket or flotation device with friends close by.
I had been sipping peach crown, but neglected to drink my water that day. Also a factor. I did not feel drunk, but the concussion erased all memory from my time being in the water to waking on the boat surrounded by my guardian angels. I do not remember attempting the ladder or the fall itself. Which I am ok with. Best not to remember. But I did learn a few things.
God works in mysterious ways.
I have asked myself the “what if” questions.
What if I had fallen backwards into the water? I could have drowned. What if I had lost an eye, finger or broken my nose? Disfigurement for life. What if I had broken my neck? Paralysis or even death. And worse, what if I had not felt drunk, tried to drive home and wrecked? My death and worse, possibly others. Not to mention the emotional feelings my friends at the lake would have endured.
There were so many life lessons learned the past 3 weeks. I know God has a plan for me. Maybe I haven’t figured it out yet, he is throwing clues out to me. I’ve died and come back, this accident, what next? I’ve been praying and doing some soul searching to figure it out. Life coach? Mentor? I don’t know, it will come to me.
I was blessed to heal quickly. Less than 48 hours later I was back to work doing what I do. A bit slower and foggy brained, but there. Stitches and all. I even went back to the lake the next weekend, got in the water, and conquered that ladder. My friends did make sure I had a spotter. HAHA, I love those guys. ❤
I learned I was not as vain as I thought I was. I still can’t go to Walmart in my pajamas, but I don’t worry about what people think of my face.
My husband still loves this face and worried about me. He tried not to show it with his humor, but I saw the fear in his eyes. Once, and only once, he said to me softly, while I was snuggled in his arms, “please, don’t do anything like this again” That was the loudest I love you, I have ever heard.
I will have a few new scars. I am good with that. I am blessed I was the only one hurt and the only thing I killed was the Buzz my friends were enjoying. (Sorry about that guys, I did leave the cornbread for you!)
Thank you to all that took care of me, before, during and after. You are the Rockstars!
Thank you to all that worried. All the prayers and good vibes, I have been blessed. Keep them coming. I never turn them down, I will take them all.
Its quiet. My happy coffee is hot. I can hear the air conditioner and Maddie’s dog tag jingling when she rearranges herself in the bed. I’m sure she just moved into my warm spot. Snuggled up to Big Daddy. I haven’t shaved my legs in a week, so he may not realize it’s not me. #locksoflove
It’s a wonderful feeling when someone loves you unconditionally. I can be a hard pill to swallow at times. I try to keep kindness in the forefront and my personal pain hidden. We are all stressed and going through something at one time or another, no reason to spread hurt or pain.
If I do snap, I try to be quick to apologize. I am human, Contrary to popular belief. I have a heart that pumps blood, not ice water. I know this for fact, my heart doctor has been inside with a camera to make sure for me.
I have feelings that get hurt. You may never know if you did it, however I have been known to tell some people I care about “you hurt me”. If they care, their actions or words won’t repeat. But at least I know I spoke up and if it happens again I can reevaluate that person’s position in my life.
I won’t keep people in my circle that deliberately hurt me. I don’t care who they are. And you shouldn’t either.
I am responsible for my happiness. No one can make me happy unless I am a willing participant. I choose who I let in my life and who I shut the door on. Sometimes with a deadbolt.
With any luck and the grace of God. I have another 45 years or so left on this planet. Yes. I plan on living to be 100. And those 45 years will be spent being happy and living life based on all the lessons learned in the past 56 years. And there have been a lot!
The most important lesson is I’ve learned to love me. I thought I needed the love of someone else to be happy. I reached out, some good some bad decisions. Some I try to wipe from my memory. The feel of someone’s arms around me made me feel needed and wanted. As I learned to love me, I realized that was all a facade, fake. A blanket wrapped around me of false feelings and hope.
No one can love me like I love me. Its different. Its a revelation. It makes me demand a more pure love from the people I hold close.
It was a long road to get here, but I am. Attitude and all. And because I love me, I can allow others to also. And when I love others, Its big.
My goodness, I’ve been assigned Mount Everest. I am trying and someone or something seems to be on top rolling boulders down on me. Well, whoever or whatever force, listen up.
This is not the day and I am not the one!
I do not admit defeat. I do not quit. I will tunnel straight through if that’s what it takes to get to the other side. I have age, experience and wisdom on my side. You may as well pack your bags and head out. Nothing to see here. My support group is better than yours. So you are merely wasting your and my time.
We all have mountains to climb and some times bridges to burn. We can’t do it alone. Use your support system. Call on your God to intervene. Mine has a mighty sword and a great sense of humor. Both get me through. Lean on your friends. Mentally or even physically at times and be there for them when they need a shoulder.
And this too shall pass. It always does. Sometimes it sticks around longer than others. It may feel like a lifetime, but its not. Keep positive. Speak positive. Pick up that shovel and dig your way up or through.
Don’t worry about your Big Girl Panties, Go Commando if you must! My elastic broke a long time ago and I do show my, well that’s another story.
Just remember, you are not in this alone. Fight. It is worth it. I promise.
I tend to celebrate my birthday all month long. One day just isn’t long enough to celebrate a life as fortunate as mine.
Today is THE day. I was born on a Tuesday, not sure what time. I only know that because of some internet thing some time ago had a calendar for the years. Ironic today is Tuesday. Something special must be on the way.
I am a little surprised I made it this far. I never thought I’d make it past 40. The men in my family seemed to leave this world about that age, I figured it was genetic.
Yet, here I am. With children Grand children Driving grand kids at that! Alive and kicking like a 20 year old. OK, maybe 30 or 35, but still kicking.
It seems I’m invited to more funerals than weddings. I guess that comes with age. My memory isn’t what I’d like it to be. But here and there something will trigger a long lost memory, something from my childhood or teen years. They can make me laugh, cry or raise my eyebrows in disbelief. I was living life like it would end at 40.
But isn’t that how we should live? Like there is no tomorrow? That doesn’t mean go on a bank robbing then shopping spree. Maybe what I mean is Love like there is no tomorrow.
Tell people what they mean to you. I love you I need you You are important to me I miss your face You make my life worth living You are special to me You will always hold a place in my heart I love that you are my friend I love waking up to you
Get the point? How do you feel when people say those things to you? Exactly.
And how hard and long does it take to convey what you feel. A heartbeat 💓
Guess getting older does make you wiser. Wiser to what makes you happy. Celebrate each birthday you are blessed with. Some are not so fortunate. And remember to love like there’s no tomorrow and Love big,
