Save a Heart

Another week has passed and it's another opportunity to look back on how lucky I am to receive many blessings.

My MyIntent bracelets came, finally. My daughter has Lil Soldier etched in her pendant to remind her to be strong. I have to bracelets. One says, Help Them, and the other, Be the Example. I use these reminders for work and family. With my teens, it gets tiring to say do this do that. At times, I feel, they purposely do the opposite. So I push myself to be the example. I hope it works, soon!

A family member of a patient brought us, staff, a fruit bouquet. It is as delicious as it looks. This bouquet I don't buy for myself. It is expensive. The best parts are the chocolate covered ones. Guess what I had?

I bought a Hurricane electric scrubber. The ad lied saying, "Does the hard work for you." I powered it and it did not do the chores by itself. :) I still have to put some work in. I must admit it makes scrubbing the floor and tiles easier. It is $40 well spent in Bed Bath. With the coupon, it was even better.

My breakfast partner, Paul, ditched me because of his son's basketball games. So, I took my daughter instead. She got up late that the restaurant did not serve breakfast burrito anymore so we had lunch burrito instead. What is the difference? We did not have potatoes, bacon, and eggs in it. And it is ten dollars each instead of two. Daughter surprised me by paying the tab.

A nice lady handed me a palm cross as I left the hospital. That was nice. She was making a bunch of them.

I am training to run the 5K for this coming June to raise money for Hearts and Stroke week with my group in intensive care unit. My team is trying to raise funds to save a heart (and or a brain). If you want to help, here is a link. I am using the free app C25K. It might be too late for me to start being 46. But I finished training for two weeks out of eight and I haven't suffered a heart attack yet. So I may be good.

I am also using the music app Rock My Run. I love it. I am listening to the sound of the 90's right now. It really inspires me to move. I paid for this app with a Groupon coupon. Another money well spent.

Join us.

P is for a Parent's Prayer

My gratitude for prayer is so great,

My family is good that I have faith

The years are gone when my teens were astray

Praise, the Lord my God, He wiped my tears away

His grace is great, now I have other things in mind

(Not just wishing) that is all I do,

While waiting for the moment

To reach the dreams that I can do

I have always like to learn more, either through reading or taking classes or lessons. My children's lives and activities got so hectic in the past that I did not have the sanity or the time. Things are better now for many months I actually can give time for myself. I even signed up for a gym membership and actually go every day. I plan to read more books. Maybe, I can devote some time studying for work. 

April Thankfuls

My love for my family is so great,
My heart melts for them as we ate
I worry when my teens are away
Wondering if they've gone astray

Togetherness for me feels so great,
I do hope my children see
Although eating is what seems all we do
I wait for these moments, I sure do

***

We had a good Easter. We went to church. Even my son went, my 18-year old. Then we had a potluck with my Filipino-American group. My teens helped hide or scatter the Easter eggs for the little ones. They were so fun to watch.

***

My daughter made some Easter fruit bouquet. They are as delicious and refreshing as they look. She also made cookies for our neighbors who are relocating, nicely foil wrapped disguised as fish. She baked and paid for the cookies. How sweet she is.

***

At work, I found time to pray and meditate a bit when I left the unit early (as we were overstaffed). I volunteered to leave because it was "4/20" in Denver. That is when marijuana fanatics have big parties in downtown. I went to spend time with my teens after school. I was so happy that they went to school the whole day and spent after school time with me having dinner and just talking. I know exactly where they were!

***

I ordered bracelets with encouraging words for me and my daughter. They are not here yet but we are excited.

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I bought one more Fitbit activity tracker that is waterproof so I can wear it in the pool. I used my, yet another, 20% coupon. Every step counts. Yes, I am a step counter addict and I'm not seeking help. :)

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And lastly, I won another trophy for my steps this week. Little things like this keep me motivated to move.

What kept you busy this past week?

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It's Almost Easter

Six years ago, my Facebook showed

My children posed with their beaks exposed

We were at the park on a sunny day

Back then like the parks and play

That was years ago

It is different now 

They seldom go with me somehow 

I'm getting old but I still should move

Not to play in the park but to the gym, I could . . .

Alone I go, as my teens are slow

Not slow in general, but in the morning? Oh no,
They can't get up as their limbs are tied

To the bed, they are, but not at night

I miss my kids when they were young

Back then they followed, danced with me, and sung

How I cope is just to remember the old

And walk with a book with encouraging words

I borrowed this book Operation Happiness

It is full of tips, just sweetness no nastiness

I do this as I can't watch or read the news

Without reading something that gives a boost

Last weekend we went to an auto show

I didn't buy anything as I've got  no dough

But for fun, we posed with some nice cars

Ferrari, Mercedes, Audi, and Jaguar

My daughter went with us, though a little bored 

It's a blessing the place has a charging station aboard

They must have kept the children's parents in mind

To keep everyone happy, the techy kinds

I've got another picture from years ago

It's me and Paul with our Easter eggos 

In that picture, I wore my wig because

At that time I was bald from cancer and chemo

But look at me now with a head full of hair

As I'm enjoying my green smoothie to nourish my body

It took cancer for me to really watch my food

I'm afraid it'd come back so kale I drink and chew

Oh look, my daughter got up for a hike with me
Though it was close to dark, and we had to turn back
We should have started earlier
Like in the morning perhaps

Lastly, I want to thank my Filipino-American group

For teaching Tagalog class, something I couldn't

I do not have the patience of teaching my language

So my daughter enrolled in the lessons she craved

Nurturing My Teens

What have I done lately? Not blogging much, I admit. I did spend some time talking to my children. Nurturing them is not always an easy task, but I tried to show my love and support in small ways.