Carin's Gratitude

I will keep this short as I will miss the posting deadline. We are grateful for what we have. My little grandson has not fully realized it yet as Santa carries him. 

Hello, hello. I am here after two months. I have been meaning to write my gratitude but did not get myself to sit down and actually type and post it. My daughter turned 21, an adult but still young at heart and spirit. She is my forever baby and youngest and smallest.  We celebrated 2020 style, just me and her in Estes. We stayed in a condo with a nice view. The place was by the stream and the water was not all frozen yet. We could hear the water flowing with its relaxing nature sound. We walked outdoors in with the cold breeze. Surprise, surprise, we were the only ones outdoors. The masks, I must admit, felt good to wear as our breath, at least, bouncing back on our face felt warm. Paul and I celebrated our two-months anniversary in a neighboring state and ordered takes-outs. We hang out (in?) ate, drank, and talked. The drive was beautiful passing by packs of rams unsuspecting of the cars passing by. We finally got our professional wedding (and video) shots. They are all beautiful in

the trailer making experiment-- the texts are random,  and we are not in Mexico. :) In the unique climate of Colorado with cool morning and eves but up to the 80's-warm during the day, my vegetable garden seems confused about the weather. Should they strive or give up? The tomatoes and eggplants seemed to stop growing. The thermometer changes in such a wide range. The leaves continue to fall but not all at once.  I took it upon myself to make raking and blowing leaves my Saturday workout donning a headcover, glasses, mask, long sleeves, and long pants. I must look suspicious with a powerful weapon--the leaf blower only to be defeated by the strong wind and nature the next day. By Sunday morning, it looked as though I did not clear the leaves the day before. What more? The strong wind seemed to have blown the whole blocks' neighbors' leaves to the end of the cul-de-sac, in front of my house. But at least, I had a proof--some 8 bags full of fallen leaves. Nevertheless, I have

What resistance's about? We think we know We watched the media, and they said so The resistance's not fresh, but dark and deep Let's pray from sunrise until we sleep Whichever side we are on, our fate we own Stay kind, do good, we're not alone

It is October and the weather and color of early Fall show some hints here in Colorado. I try to create some beauty around me to share with family and friends and use nature and circumstances as instruments of creativity.  I have many things to be grateful for. Here is my list. My son and family came to visit with his family. I have this backdrop in the backyard for them. He showed the kids how to rake and help clean up in the backyard to which his little boy made a face * I am not raking the leaves because you ask me to* kind of attitude.  Grandson later did it when not asked. :) We are still receiving unexpected wedding gifts even when we did not have a reception.  I am thankful for all the gifts and best wishes. Wally the dog earns his certificate for dog training 101 (online).  I thank him and the trainer for the video training. He learned to close the door, "stay" longer, and be better with "leave it." Human dad Paul is teasing us that we bought Wally's dip

I have so many reasons to be thankful I am now married to Paul Without a ball We pull A simple ceremony before the fall And this weekend we borrowed my grandson Who is now Paul's (also) grandson Little Josiah gladly welcomed Grandpa Paul without a question He was such a delight Easy to excite With kisses, rides, bubble bath, and chocolate But he got so active, we thought we had triplets After that, Paul and I have decided Milk chocolate drink? We should have skipped it Because little grandson (and grandparents)  Would be better without it Oh after the wedding, we had small get-togethers To celebrate after in good times and weather We entertained friends, we barbequed together And maintained a safe distance As our health truly matters My friends' son, so chatty  Bragging about his stuff He was showing me his airplane, scorpion, and other stuff Oh, I have to tell you I just got elected As president-elect in a nursing organization Where 11 years I invested Nursing service voluntee

 I am trying to load some pictures but they must be "heavy" and won't load. I got married a few days ago and I am beyond grateful finally tying the knot with my soulmate of ten years. We are living together now and are still finding new things about each other. I can watch this raw video over and over, with or without audio. I am sorry, it is quite long--28 minutes. No editing has been done yet. We did a wedding 2020 style, no visitors. Everybody is safe. No guilt.

Indoors or outdoors? These choices are as easy to answer like paper or plastic? We answered outdoors, of course. While we can and while it's available. The weather is decent this week we got to have the top down for a little bit while driving to Steamboat Springs and breathe (mostly, I hope) fresh air. The experience is so freeing unlike wearing a face mask inside a store, for example.  I thank God, for the beauty of nature we can still enjoy. I thank God for our health that we can still hike a little bit and get to see the falls.  We have harvested a few tomatoes untouched by the birds. Perhaps they are really afraid of Mr. Scare Owl especially that he looks scary after the ugly feathers I attached to him. :) Thank you, Mr. Owl. I am having another batch of donations as I unpack more belongings from my move. I am thankful I am lucky enough to have some extras to share. I am happy to find little plants for the fairy garden.  With the 4th set of grow lights, my indoor plants are per

It is August first. It is my mother's birthday. We would have been celebrating in Las Vegas today and having a reunion but because of the current circumstances of doing our part to keep each other healthy, we canceled the get-together. We celebrated in spirit and togetherness via Messenger video.  Here's my gratitude list. A visit from my son in my new home. He stayed a bit and we talked and ate together. Just the two of us. My reservation in a nearby city went through however last-minute. It will be nice to get away but not have to fly to a new area. It has been months since I did something for fun away from home. I will be doing short hikes with Paul. The patio picture is a little glimpse of the place. A picture from 2018 with my mother in Vegas. We went swimming. It was a good day on her birthday week. My grandkids greeting their great-grandma with a video. This week's humble harvest and the near future's. Support from Lettuce Grow where I got my planter. I don't

Hello. Another week has passed, and another opportunity has come for me to reflect on things to be grateful for. But looking at 3 years ago, I am reminded of a riveting experience but is so amazing for me--a live show. My favorite is the performance by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. I first saw this group in Denver. I am drawn to their story and acts as they gracefully move from swing to swing, suspended in the air most of the time, or "acrobatting" in big productions platforms, sinking ships, or whatever their plot is as I hold my breath most times hoping they keep themselves safe. Their performance is flawless. I am glad I got to see their shows twice.  This week is supposed to be my family's reunion in Las Vegas for my mother's birthday. She cannot fly overseas because of restrictions. We want to keep her healthy. I am grateful enough for her health and that no one in our family is severely affected by it healthwise. As we take things kinda slow and mostly indoors

Hello. It's been another busy week. I am so thankful for a smooth week, except for a toothache that is now better. I am waiting for a second specialist to call me back. But at least I am no longer in great pain. Here's my gratitude list. I am thankful I finally filed my taxes, on time! I can still smile after :) My seedlings have arrived from the mail. 5 out of 36 were so limped. They are getting replaced free of charge. Look at these baby seedlings. Most are them are for a salad--kale, tomato, cucumber, and lettuce. I visited my grandson. Look at him trying to massage himself like grandma. He still likes "reading" books as much as he likes his electronic high-tech toys. My outdoor patio garden is doing well. Look at my eggplant and tomatoes! My scare owl is doing its job. :) Till next week!

Hello, hello. It's been a busy, pleasant week. I have many things to be grateful for. My indoor planter has arrived. I am so ready with my grow lights and makeshift trellis. Next week, I hope I receive my seedlings. This is my first indoor vegetable gardening with a promise of 36 plants! I will grow lettuce, tomatoes, kales, cucumbers, and other veggies with this. Wish me luck. Paul and I have not dined out in a restaurant for months. We love hotpot so we're doing it on our own. We also have not done any camping. Here is our version of "eating out" with makeshift "campfire and have the benefit of real bathrooms, electric power, and fresh seafood (from the grocery store). Some of the vegetables are from my gardening. And we could drink as much wine as we want last night as we were not driving. We enjoyed this eating out 2020 style. We will do it again. I helped put together a simple send off to my co-nurse at work. She worked in our hospital for 38 years. She was

Happy Independence Day, USA. We have no official fireworks celebration this year due to physical distancing. I am thankful, just the same, living in this country, with its wealth and freedom. Of course, no country is perfect. The USA still has a lot of promise, and I want to contribute to its fulfillment and the peaceful fix, however small. Here's my gratitude list. Toddler, Josiah, and Alayna are sporting their red and blue outfit on the 4th of July. For them, it's another day of play, enjoying the outdoors. I continue to enjoy my patio garden, small and manageable for me. I haven't bought a bouquet of flowers for weeks. I am thankful for the bees and butterflies in my new home. I didn't know that these insects play an active role in pollinating. Maybe I will have pumpkins this year and not just pumpkin flowers. My vegetable scraps are growing tall, at least, a centimeter a day. The picture is a 5-day old picture with goldfish in the bottom-feeding the plants continuou

Hello, hello. We're passed the middle of the year. How different this year has been so far. I only hope it will get better with more peace and good health needed around us. I understand we cannot totally control the world if at all. But I can improve myself and hopefully positively influence others. My little grandson turned 15 months and can walk faster now while he plays with his toys holding one with the right and the other with his left hand. Every time he falls, he gets back up on his feet quickly without crying and asking for help. He has grown so much in less than two years. He is easy to please, and smiles from the simplest things--a cup of fruit, playtime with family, a new toy . . . He likes to do things independently and asks in his own way for assistance when he needs it. I can smile too with the simplest things around me and be grateful for what I have. I have many blessings so far. We are healthy, we have food on the table, we have jobs, we have a loving family. My pl

Say hello to our new dog, Bando. He is an 8-week old boxer mix dog. We estimate he will grow and weigh up to 70 pounds. As my family got over the untimely death of our miniature poodle, Snowball, we all welcome this new baby, Bando, into the house. Josiah loves dogs and our dogs love him. They are all are very sweet.  We can't have too much sweetness in the house. So grandma got some cupcakes for them to decorate. Josiah decided to decorate his face instead though. It was a mix of cool nights and warm to hot days. It's nice to go out and be around the water, even man-made dams. We took a hike this morning. I am still growing plants, even indoors. Here is today's picture of my little aquaponics. Fish in the bottom, plants on top. I like these sprouts on my salad. I lost my father a few years ago. He died in the hospital after a few days stay. His passing, however painful to us, was a relief for him. I am thankful his suffering ended. I feel grateful for a good week. Happy

It's been a good week. My Friday ended with a nomination award from a co-worker who witnessed me helping an African-American man in the hospital pharmacy last March. He did not have enough money for his co-pay. I helped him pay for his prescription without him asking. My boss and a couple of co-nurses saw me receiving this award. I guess I made more than one person happy from this act. I, for one, am so happy I was in the pharmacy at the right time. This is the 5th time I have been nominated for the DAISY award so it is a big deal for me.  I am a rookie gardener. So I am proud of the little successes in my mini garden. Look at my future eggplant, tomato, and a few strawberries. The strawberries are small and sweet. My grandson often makes me laugh. At 14 months, he is riding this tricycle for the first time and is having such a great time. We only have 18 COVID patients in the hospital. That is good. Have a good day you all.

Another month, a fresh beginning. It is another busy week but I make time to recognize the goodness around me. I have many reasons to smile this week. Here's "we woke up like this picture." My grandson was crying so I help the couple by "borrowing" him. He instantly stops crying and here he is with sister, messy hair and all. My current school for my Master's donated a carful of snacks and beverages to my units to recognize the staff, especially it is the year of the nurses. May is actually the nurse's week but we were too busy with COVID that my hospital did not have the celebration at all. This very nice gesture by American Sentinel University is very much appreciated. Here's this morning's 2-hour hike in a nearby city. It was overcast and just perfect for hiking!