Carin's Gratitude

August 2019 comes to a close. Just looking at this past week makes me feel lucky. It is a good month with some simple reasons to be thankful.  A nurse wine glass from Paul he got from the wine tasting event. He got some wine too but the glass is especially cute. Why doesn't the nurse have eyes, I do not know. Free cactus vegetarian tacos from the employee recognition day with melon juice. I especially like the juice. It refreshed my dry mouth on a busy day in the hospital. A smile from my grandson quenches my thirst as well in a different way. Many times at work, in the intensive care unit, I feel stressed, depressed, and helpless dealing with critical patients. My grandson, however little, cures all the negative feelings.  Nature hikes this weekend feeds my soul while I get my work out. It is nice to see the great outdoors in Colorado. Flowers brighten my day. The red ones are from the Farmer's market Paul got me today. The others are from the hike at Pella C

Hello. Another week, another time to recognize my blessings. My family went to our regular schedule this past week. It is back to college for my daughter and me. We have no vacations planned so far. Life is smooth and we plan to keep it that way. Smooth is fine and we feel grateful. Here's my list. A $1 dahlia from the farmer's market because even a single stem puts a smile on my face. The farmer's market on good weather to get local veggies from. A table for studying as I am back to school again to get my master's in nursing. Leftover flowers from the week prior and carrot leaves (LOL) to make a bouquet with my dahlia. Coffee candle to keep me awake while studying. My last lipid panel result. I got my total cholesterol and LDL within healthy limits finally. Losing five pounds and keeping it off. Thanks to the Noom app to help change my mindset about food. The slimming coffee my sister gave me. Between Noom and that, I lost weight without struggle

The Main Reservoir walk in Colorado The Rooney Trail before the bikers and runners came I feel proud of myself for making time to post in a few weeks streak. It just means one thing. I focus on gratitude for weeks now. What a great feeling. This week, I am thankful for: The beautiful mountain views in my city, just over ten minutes drive. 60-degree mornings, so the hike felt very refreshing. The energy to rise early and avoid the crowd. My dog joining me in the otherwise solitary walk. The effect of going outdoors has on me--wonderful happy feeling. Calories used for exercising.  Days off to enjoy life outside work. Coffee to keep me going on my workdays in the hospital. My son adulting. He paid for his two old tickets! Apps to motivate me and lose a few pounds. 

Beak Creek Nature park While visiting the beaches in California, my former state before Colorado some 20 years ago, I realized how I took for granted the beauty of the large body of water when I was living there. How could I not appreciate the beautiful waves and sunset kissing the water when I was minutes away from it? How could I not walk the warm sand at least weekly, the same way I enjoyed it now massaging my feet as I walked? Now I can only do it rarely unless I fly to the west (or east) coast weekly.  Last June while in Florida, and had a few days by the beach, I did not think about it. I used to live close to the beach, in California, that 's where I stayed for over ten years. Anyway, now that I am back to beautiful Colorado, I told myself not to take for granted the beautiful weather, mountains, and lakes we have here. We have numerous parks to visit, some only a few minutes away.  Here, my nursing volunteer friends and family visited Colorado Springs. It is

Hello from the hot summer in Colorado. I just got back from a vacation with my family. I attached my recent pictures down to my graduation. I finally finished my bachelor's in nursing. I had an associate degree for many years but not I can officially say I am a bit smarter. :) Look at me hanging out with the stars in Los Angeles, California, the wax museum, that is. A visit to California is not complete without the scene of the Pacific Beach. Here we are in San Diego with the water warm enough, we could actually go wading comfortably. Paul and I are back in Colorado shopping at the farmer's market.  The other pictures are with my family in California for a mini-reunion.  I can't help but notice that sign on the white truck in La Jolla, "People are important." Yes, indeed, no matter what race or color, I should add.   More beach pictures. Can you spot the seals and sea lions? And look at how we positioned ourselves in the picture