Lorene Mentality

The birds have been loud the past few mornings. I dont know if this is the norm and I just never paid any attention or if they have something new to chat about at 5 am.
I am only semi isolated. I’m considered essential right now. Most hospital employees are at the moment. I go to work, our shop and home. Pretty much the same schedule as before CV19.
With the exception of weekends. My time to socialize, shop and just get out. Maybe brunch with friends, window shopping, a visit with grandbabies.
These things I miss.
However I am experiencing new things during this “safe at home” time.
Like the birds first thing in the morning. Listening to them call out and answer, wondering what they are saying. Are they warning that the barn cat is in the yard? Or just good morning? Maybe they are handing out assignments for the day, nest building, food hunting, that sort of thing.
It’s fun to use my imagination to form those conversations and relaxing to just hear the sounds of nature.
Sitting on the deck and just enjoying the weather and the company of Big Daddy, loving and cuddling with fur baby Maddie.
The neighbors horse at the fence asking for a treat. Feeding him corn on the cob and listening to him talk and stomp around. Listening to the swarm of bees overhead playing in the blossoms of the red bud tree.
Noticing all the stars on a clear sky night. The brightness, alignment, the moon. From my porch, there is very little light pollution. The sky seems lit up with glitter, scattered across black velvet.
I’m reminded of the time when Troy asked me to move out here. He said he had something he wanted me to see. He took me outside on the porch. It was a dark, cool night, and said look up. I was amazed at how bright and crisp the stars looked. Prettier than any diamond he could have offered.
I am rediscovering that now.
Some people think of this time as being stuck at home. I think of it as having quality time. I don’t get as much as some people having to go to work daily, but I am making the best of the time at home. Well, except when I binge watched Tiger King, that jury is still out.
I am taking the time to enjoy nature. Actually pay attention to all the sights, smells and sounds.
Maybe this is what the doctor ordered.
Reevaluating how I spend my time, things I take for granted and what I’ve been missing in my every day rush.
I miss seeing my family and friends. But they aren’t missing, we just have to communicate a little differently for a while. Missing someone is healthy. It makes you think about WHY you miss them. Which in turn makes you appreciate them even more.
I predict when this is over and life returns to normal, our normal will be much different.
Hugs will be tighter, kisses longer, priorities will realign and we will all be a little richer for it.
Slow down, stop, smell the flowers, gaze at the stars, close your eyes and listen to nature wake up.
Lorene

Its beautiful this morning, I have the window open and the breeze feels phenomenal!
It may actually make my coffee taste better.
If that’s even possible.
The breeze reminds me its spring. Of course in Oklahoma the weather can make you forget about Covid-19 in a flash of lightning. Bringing on another fear in people.
Fear brings on stress, anxiety and panic.
What brings on fear?
For me?
Not knowing.
Lack of information.
When I cant put together a plan of action for the situation.
When I am out of control of my life at a particular moment.
Stay informed on the things you are fearful. Don’t listen to gossip or repeat it.
Check the facts.
Hit the websites of authority not public opinion.
Find the calm weatherman.
Be a step ahead.
Being prepared has a calming effect.
It turns fear into courage.
Making decisions in a calm state of mind are thought out and not rushed. Made with a sense of urgency but not panic.
Courage isn’t about being a hero.
Its fear wrapped in knowledge.
Enjoy the breeze.
Sit, sip your coffee.
Enjoy the solitude around you.
Enjoy your own company.
I am here for you.
I am praying for you.
All of you.
Stay safe
Lorene ❤❤

Yes, these are both me.
I was shocked to say the least when this pic popped up on my memories timeline. I thought it was my mother at first glance, in her 60s.
The picture on the left is from 2016, the right is this morning. Both are first thing in the morning and no filters.
The difference?
I changed my diet, routine skine care regiment and of course changed my mind about being gray.
I also keep negativity at arms length.
Surround myself with the right people.
Positive people.
My attitude changed too.
I decided being positive, meditating and enjoying life to the fullest was a priority.
It’s amazing how happiness can “Un Age” you.
I did visit that White Room during those 4 years. Life changing to say the least. I do know it was then I decided I would live as long and as healthy as God allowed.
Appreciate my second chance.
And be happy doing it.
Maybe catching a glimpse of the other side took most of my fears away. Changed my attitude towards life and how I live it.
I am grateful and blessed.
I just wanted to share this transformation, most of it comes from within.
Who knows, maybe 2024 I’ll be at super model status.
One can only hope….
❤
Lorene

I just want to sleep today.
For some reason, my body is just tired. Or maybe its my brain. Whichever, I just want to stay snuggled up and sleeping.
There is something about closing my eyes and making the world go away. The day to day stuff no longer matters. It is all put on hold.
Then the dreams.
I love to dream.
This is the time my brain sleeps and my subconscious takes over.
There are times my dream seems like I am going through channels, seeing snippets of what’s on, moving through them. None of them making a lot of sense.
There are the reruns. Dreams I have more than once. Maybe not the entire dream, but the concept, or a place I keep revisiting.
Dreams of every day things with a twist. People in your dreams wearing weird clothes, or working a job that doesn’t make sense . Interaction with people you may or may not know. Kind of boring dreams.
Nightmares
As a child I had them where I would wake screaming at the top of my lungs, bringing mom from the other end of the house to calm me down.
I don’t have monster dreams in the sense of big teeth, claws or horns. Sometimes being chased, which I know is a dream because I do not run. Lol.
A physically dark dream, no sunshine, maybe mist or fog making it scary as I travel through it alone.
I don’t remember each dream, sometimes days later something will trigger a memory. Sometimes a de ja vu moment.
What I dreamed becomes real life.
All the while I am wrapped up in bed, on the couch or even in the car with Troy driving. (That’s trust right there)
Safe
I love to dream.
Asleep and awake.
We all need to dream.
We bring about what we speak about. And we deserve to experience it all. You will receive what you expect and voice aloud. Be sure its your dreams and not negative thoughts.
Have a blessed day, dream big and love even bigger.
Lorene

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