Sun Kissed Thanksgiving

Our Kauai Thanksgiving

As the cold winds of Colorado started to freeze us, we escaped to the tropics for Thanksgiving celebrations. We basked in the Hawaiian sun. We are grateful for the warmth and breathtaking views.

1. Gratitude Blog: Sharing my tropical Thanksgiving with a gratitude blog allows me to reflect on the blessings in my life. While looking at the incredible water views of nature, I think about many things, events, and people I am thankful for.
2. Thanksgiving Food: The turkey fixings, chicken (because the whole turkey is too big for two), and guava cheesecake gave us the holiday cheer while enjoying the sun, water, and sand on our feet.
3. Sun, water, and photography: We capture the beauty of Hawaiian water waves, which are too dangerous to surf in but very pretty to watch. It is like a never-ending show with no beginning and no end. We just take a few minutes to capture the waves, but the show itself is infinite.
4. E-Reader: We are grateful for the gift of relaxation by diving into good books that are so portable while close to the water views. All the while, we felt lucky to experience such a unique Thanksgiving. 

Happy Thanksgiving from paradise.

Where is your paradise this year?

Shop for our beach Amazon Finds here.

Join the grateful blogger team here.

Exercise Schedule by AI

 

 I asked Chat and Ask AI app to design me a workout schedule using the equipments and game I have at home, and this is it what it came out with. I plan to give it a try for a week. 

although it did not include all the details I asked to a T, the plan is pretty good and easy to follow  I got a chuckle in the chores part  it is only once a week suggesting that maybe I should only do chores once a week  *laughing out loud* 

Please design a workout plan for 7 days a week for a 50 plus year old sedentary woman that is simple and easy to follow and takes no more than 45 minutes a day. I want to have a lean body but build muscles on my glutes, hips, and thighs. I want to use my household chores, kettlebell, dumbbells, medicine ball, pull up bar, stationary bike, treadmill, supernatural meta quest game twice a week, yoga, and Booty sprout twice a week. 

Certainly! Here's a 7-day per week workout plan that incorporates your equipment, activities, and household chores. The plan is designed to help you build lean muscle in your glutes, hips, and thighs while keeping the workouts simple and under 45 minutes each day.

**Day 1: Kettlebell and Dumbbell Strength Training**

1. Warm up: 5 minutes of light cardio (stationary bike or treadmill).

2. Kettlebell swings: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

3. Goblet squats: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

4. Dumbbell lunges: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg.

5. Romanian deadlifts with dumbbells: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

6. Glute bridges with kettlebell: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

7. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, focusing on the lower body.

**Day 2: Yoga and Booty Sprout**

1. Warm up: 5 minutes of light cardio (stationary bike or treadmill).

2. Yoga session: Choose a yoga routine that focuses on flexibility, balance, and core strength. Aim for a 30-minute session.

3. Booty Sprout: Perform exercises targeting the glutes, such as hip thrusts, donkey kicks, and fire hydrants. Do 3 sets of 12-15 reps for each exercise.

4. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, focusing on the lower body.

**Day 3: Cardio and Supernatural Meta Quest Game**

1. Warm up: 5-10 minutes on the stationary bike or treadmill.

2. Supernatural Meta Quest Game: Engage in a session for 30 minutes.

3. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, targeting the whole body.

**Day 4: Household Chores Workout**

1. Perform household chores that engage your lower body muscles, such as vacuuming, mopping, gardening, or cleaning windows for 45 minutes. These activities can help you burn calories and work your glutes, hips, and thighs.

2. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, targeting the whole body.

**Day 5: Stationary Bike Cardio**

1. Warm up: 5 minutes of light cardio (stationary bike or treadmill).

2. Stationary bike: Engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio on the stationary bike.

3. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, targeting the whole body.

**Day 6: Dumbbell and Medicine Ball Workout**

1. Warm up: 5 minutes of light cardio (stationary bike or treadmill).

2. Dumbbell squats: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

3. Dumbbell step-ups: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg.

4. Medicine ball Russian twists: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per side.

5. Dumbbell hip thrusts: 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

6. Cool down: 5 minutes of stretching, focusing on the lower body.

**Day 7: Rest and Recovery**

1. Take the day off to allow your body to rest and recover. You can engage in light stretching or relaxation activities like gentle walking or meditation if desired.

Remember to start with weights that are appropriate for your fitness level. 

A Grateful Update: Grandkids, Gardens, and Giggles!

 

Fake, Fake, Japanese Container Pond

A Grateful Update: Grandkids, Gardens, and Giggles!

Hey there, fantastic TTOT team! It's time for another dose of gratitude and giggles from tmy simple life. Seriously, folks, my grandkids are like mini comedians on steroids, my garden is growing like weeds :)and my husband... well, let's just say he's still just so funny he does not have to say much.

1. Grandkids - The Little Geniuses of Giggles: I swear, my grandkids are on a mission to make every day of their lives I can manage to borrow seem like a laugh-a-thon. They have these ideas of acting or overacting and make the most mundane task of going to the carwash like a horror comedic movie. I couldn't be more grateful for the constant stream of belly laughs.

2. Garden Adventures - Weeds, Wisdom, and Wonder: Oh, the garden. It's like a wild kingdom where the plants have a secret society. My tomatoes are bearing fruits. Is the kind that is big and pretty, the heirloom kind. Tomorrow we can get 3 fewer tomatoes from the farmer's market because of our bountiful harvest this week. But in all seriousness, tending to my garden has taught me more about patience and persistence than any life coach ever could. It's a wild ride of ups and downs, and I'm taking every minute of it as a success (especially when I triumph over those pesky weeds)!

3. Husband's Hilarious Humor - The Husband Joke Extraordinaire: Ah, my dear husband. He's like a one-man comedy show that never ends. His jokes, eye-rolling, and Miley-Cirus-tongue-showing in pictures are funny from the day I forced him to watch Barbie with me to when he finally agreed to go.

5. Barbie Movie. It was funny.

6. The Maturing Youngs - Daughters, Sons, and Furry Friends: Our kids are growing up faster than weeds in my garden, and it's a beautiful thing to witness. The way they handle life's challenges with grace and humor is nothing short of awe-inspiring. They've turned into these incredible beings who are navigating the adult world while still finding time to send us hilarious pet videos. The two girls are successful in taking care of numerous houseplants. Not too long ago, they could not pick up a broom.

So, there you have it – a snapshot of the hilariously gratifying moments that make up our simple life.

Summer Gratefulness

 

The weather is so nice, I can just hang out on the patio all day.

• I'm so grateful for my laptop. I can take it anywhere I go, so I can work from the patio, the living room, or even my bed. But maybe I should not work on my bed.
• 
  I'm also grateful for my fake fountain. It's so relaxing to listen to the water running, even though I know it's not real.

• I'm grateful for my espresso maker's ease of use. It's so easy to make a perfect cup of espresso, even if I'm not a morning person. With it, I make the perfect cup of coffee every time. And I'm grateful for no-calorie leaf sweetener. It's the perfect way to sweeten my coffee without adding any calories.
• I'm grateful for days off. They give me a chance to relax and recharge. And I'm grateful for a good week at work. It's always nice to feel like I'm making a difference. This past week, there was zero death in the ICU.
• I'm grateful that the COVID vaccine is no longer required by the CDC because of the low risk. I am not anti-vaccine but I am grateful for the reasoning of no-requirement. It's one less thing to worry about and COVID is no longer that scary. I never thought I would write something like this back in 2020 and 2021.
• 
  I'm grateful for the farmer's market. It's a great place to get fresh, local produce. And I'm grateful for fresh vegetables. Fresh cherries and tomatoes. They're so good for you.
• 
  And finally, I'm grateful for my reusable woven basket. It helps me reduce waste and reuse. I'm trying to be more environmentally conscious, and this is one small way I can do that. Plus, it is strongly pushed by the state. Colorado is behind California on this but we are catching up.

• I'm grateful for my laptop's battery life. It's long enough that I can work for hours without having to worry about it dying.
• I'm grateful for a good week at work with grateful patients, family, and co-workers. It's nice to know that my hard work is appreciated.

 I know I'm lucky to have all of these things in my life. I'm so grateful for them all.

Got blog? Join the grateful blog team here.

Amazon Finds (Try Search Bar if unable to see product)

I Found Them on 

I affiliate with Amazon and may earn a commission with the following products:

1. AISITIN 3.5W LED Solar Bird Bath Fountains with 3 Brackets to keep out of the edge, 8 Nozzles, for Solar Fountain in Garden, Pond, or Bird Bath 

2. Metal Wind Spinner Yard/Stake Decoration for Patio, Lawn, and Garden. Add color to your space.

3. Ionantha Tillandsia Air Plants live indoor plants (25 pack), air plants, terrarium plants, live houseplants, live plants for indoor our outdoors in summer, easy care plants for air plant holders or wood, wood tree trunks

4. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet Grill, 10.25", Cerise

5. TALK WORKS Flexible Tripod for iPhone, Android, Camera - wind Bendable Legs, Adjustable Stand Holder with Mini Wireless Remote for Selfies, Vlogging, Beauty/Makeup, Live Streaming/Recording 

6.  Wooden Utensils for Cooking Serving 6-Piece 12 Inch long Round Handle made of Acacia Wood Non-Stick Set for your cookware, especially the coated ones

7. Marc Anthony Repairing Shampoo, Repair Bond + Rescuplex - Repairs, Strengthens & Maintains Bonds within Hair - Eliminates Frizz, Flyaways & Reduce Breakage - Dry & Damaged Hair Professional Treatment

8. Bubbly Belle Bath Bombs XXL Gift Set, 12 Extra Large Handmade, Aromatherapy Fizzies with Essential Oil Blends and Epsom Salt, Vegan for Women, Men, and Kids

9. PENEBELLA New Anti Aging Eye Cream with Caffeine, Retinol, Collagen, Peptides, Aloe Vera, and Hyaluronic Acid to Brighten & Repair, Under Eye Moisturizer, Anti Wrinkle, Dark Circle & Puffiness Eye Treatment cream

10. Keto Gummies - Good tasting Low-Carb Supplement for Weight Management - Boost Ketosis, Metabolism & Energy,  Supports Digestion, Weight Loss, Detox & Cleansing - Made in USA - Gummies for Ketosis - 60 Gummies

Rain, Rain

A video of my little home garden

As I type pondering all the things I am thankful for, a few things come to mind that might surprise you. First, I am thankful for the rain. Not because it's good for the environment or helps crops grow, but because it waters my perennial garden so I don't have to. Let's be real, who has a lot of time for that?

Secondly, I am thankful for the therapy provided by my plants. They don't talk back or judge me, and they always seem to know just what I need. Whether it's a pop of color from lilies, columbine, and daisies through the window or the sight of a new bud on my mini rose bush, my plants are always there to lift my spirits year after year. 

Speaking of things that lift my spirits, I am also incredibly thankful for good enough health. I don't have to be a surfer, marathon runner, or hula dancer to enjoy life, and that's something I am truly grateful for.

But let's be real, I'm not doing all of this on my own. I am also thankful for the housekeeping help I have at home. Without her, my house would be a disaster and my plants would be drowning in a sea of clutter.

And lastly, I am thankful for my husband who mowed the lawn on Father's Day. Sure, he had other more fun things to do but it's the little things that count, right? Plus, it means I don't have to worry about it for at least another week.

So there you have it, friends. A few of the things I am thankful for. What are you thankful for? Do you have a blog? Join the TTOT group below.

Review of Hana Matsuri Restaurant

My husband and I are big fans of Japanese food. We were driving down to Lakewood for something, so we were excited to revisit Hana Matsuri nearby. It is located in a strip on the bus road of Alameda. The restaurant is small and not fancy. But don't let the look fool you.

We ordered the sashimi with miso soup. Good as usual. The fish was fresh and delicious, and the presentation was beautiful. We also had the steak cooked on the table with hot stone. The cook was cooked perfectly right before my husband, sizzling and all. He had to cook it himself though. :)

The service was quick and good. Our waitress was attentive and knew the menu well, at least the different steak sauces when we asked about them. Even the hostess helped serve food to our table.

We can't say our food was not fresh. Oh they were fresh and raw to start. But seriously, we recommend this restaurant. We will come back again to eat.

Happy Nurses Week, ICU Nurses

Amid the beeps and alarms of machines,

You stand tall in all the scenes 

A guardian angel for the ill and weak,

Sick, frail, and patients who can't speak

Your compassion knows no bounds,

Your dedication, as you make rounds

You give care to those unfortunate

And soothe their pain with care and courage

Though the daily shifts may seem long,

And the days in the week ahead are uncertain,

Take heart, dear nurses, and stay strong,

For many lives, you lift some burden

Your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed,

Your sacrifices are deeply appreciated,

For you are the ones who keep us grounded

And give us the strength to persevere, undaunted.

So here's to the nurses in the ICU,

Thank you all for the work that you do,

May you find more power and push through

And know that we are grateful to you.

P to U, Thank You

P is for Paul, celebrating my birthday with me.

Q is for a quilt-looking sea turtle large beach towel my sister sent me as a birthday gift. I love it. It will be perfect for Hawaii.

R is for a relaxing day off with my grandson accessible via face time. He is playing with a filter here, a sparkly face mask?

S is for my silly grandson. Here, he makes me laugh.

T is for digital toys using the screen. If it's grandma on the other side of the screen, I think, we can allow more time.

U is for just the two of us. My grandson is not too happy with the news that the new sibling will be a girl. I am trying to bank some just to two of us time, for in four months, we will be busy with a baby.

V is for my forever valentine, birthday, and all holidays date who is also my foodie buddy.

 W is for the wonderful cartoon filters that remove wrinkles automatically. :)

PNACO News Blog: Relational Aggression Education Offering

PNACO News Blog: Relational Aggression Education Offering: PNACO invites you to a scheduled free Continuing Education opportunity via Zoom. Topic: Relational Aggression: Why Women Sabotage Each Other...

Alphabetical Gratitude List 2

A beautiful rooster

To continue from my alphabetical gratitude list last week, here I am starting with the letter G. What am I thankful for? 

G is a gorgeous feral rooster wandering around the plaza. It looks like it is in good health too. It must be finding enough insects to eat while keeping the beautiful garden nice.

When I retire, will I go to heaven?

H is for heaven. I look outdoors and upon the clouds. I wish I could go to heaven when I retire from the earth. It must be so magical. I am thankful I can look forward to that. Well, we all leave sometime.

The Wyllie Beach

"I" is for the island of Kauai where I can go and truly enjoy the beauty of nature.

J is for the jokes I am thinking in my head. I like to tell jokes to my friends to make them laugh. The silence of getting away gives me time to cook up some jokes to use later. It makes me happy when my friends laugh.

K is for the keeper. My housekeeper was the first one who found my place with no power and the black box with keys to the house was suspiciously open! I am here and things are OK now. My housekeeper is truly a keeper. Get it? :)

Flowers in Hawaii

L is for light pink flowers that can be found on the beach. Aren't they pretty? They are free to look at and admire. They add to the beauty and color of the beach.

Me time at the beach

M is for me time. Just me, myself, and I with a good book, hat, sunscreen, and the sound of waves.

I'm in love with this vacuum!

O is for an overdue shopping item on my wishlist that "the husband" finally bought. It was on sale! It vacuums the floor hands-free, empties itself, and plugs itself in to charge. And the sale price probably helped to not overpay for this item.

Patio in Hawaii

P is for my old patio, small, old, and nice to look at.

I want to eat, eat, eat, apples and . . . papaya. 

P is for the papaya fruit-bearing tree. The fruits are sweet and delicious.

I have listed over 10. What are you thankful for that starts with P? Or Q? Or R? Please give me ideas for the next week. 

To read more gratitude posts like this, please join and visit Ten Things of Thankful. But "check your clock" if linking. The link closes in a few days.

The Alphabetical Gratitude List

Little 3-year-old Grandson Napping

Here's my gratitude list for the week, inspired by Ten Things of Thankful.

• A, he's adorable. My grandson looks so cute especially when sleeping, such an angel.
• B, for big brother. Can you imagine he will be a big brother in July?

Homemade Crustless Pizza

• C, crustless cheesy pizza that "the husband" has been making as part of our "reduced carb" diet.
• D, is for a doable diet, eating food we like with some tweaking.

• E, for easy food I can make that is good for me too. This one is a green tea banana soft-serve ice cream.

Watching Superbowl

• F is for football. My husband and I had a good time watching the Superbowl last week. It was entertaining from beginning to end--game and all with no drama.

• E is for electricity to keep our food good. (Thank goodness, our electricity is restored in our vacation home after the cleaner found our fridge with warm food. We found out, we lost power in the place for five days, yikes).
• E is also for electric cars we have on the mainland. Our cars just run smoothly, and no more visits to gas stations every week.

Bread for Fondue

• F is for friends who bring food to work to share. This one is crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
• F is also for easy fondue in a box, which I dipped the bread in. The husband liked them both, and he is picky, that's saying a lot.

Note for Donut

• F is for more free food, doughnuts. This box came with a note. "Working in winter is tough . . . doughnuts are hot." :)

I have listed 11 things I am grateful for, exceeding by one. I will save some letters for the next weeks. Your turn. A . . . 

 

Procrastination: Motivation to Stop

 I have to watch this video a bit to stop me from procrastinating today. I am overdue to finishing my e-learning for work and here I am at home trying to finish it. I would say I am at least somewhat motivated. 

Relationships Gratitude List

Velvet dog exemplifies, "Wag more, bark less," to me. Human translation, "Voice gratitude and compliment more, complain less."

What a great time to list of gratitude about relationships but the Sunday before Valentine's Day week. I had one bad day out of the past 7 days. And although that one day is just a moment of my life that keeps popping into my mind, I have many more and longer lists to be thankful for. Here are my ten things of thankful for. These questions are from Ten Things of Thankful and & Summit Pathways.

1. Are you thankful you have someone to call your valentine? Yes, and he cooked some healthy meals with me this weekend good for our diet and yummy too. We had crustless pizza and zucchini lasagna.
2. What aspects of your city or neighborhood are you grateful for? Generally quiet. There are birds flying around the backyard trees today.
3. Who is someone that really listens when you talk, and how does that affect you? My husband and co-workers are at work. I had one difficult day and some actually sat down with me and talk to me with their full attention however busy it was in the hospital.
4. How many of your basic needs do you not have to worry about meeting today? Oh my God, food. Good shelter. Good environment with no earthquakes.
5. What’s the best thing about your home, and have you taken the time to enjoy it recently? The fireplace, every day, and tonight while watching the Super Bowl Sunday 2023. "Baby, it's cold . . . outside."
6. Have you had a chance to help someone recently, and how did that make you feel? Yes. My nursing volunteer team donated money to Uplift International to put new smiles on five children with cleft palate in the Philippines, literally to mend their faces. :)
7. What’s something you look forward to in the future? A spiritual and professional retreat for healthcare workers I am helping organize. We are going to the tropics away from the cold.
8. What’s an aspect of your physical health that you feel grateful for? Cancer free for 11 years now.
9. What relationships are you grateful for? My relationships with my children. My daughter just visited me yesterday. My relationship with my pets, friends, and co-workers. My heart literally smiles when I see them.
10. What made you smile today? My sister is at home sick but feeling a bit better today.

Watching these two dogs playdate in my home is entertaining. They make me smile.

It makes me feel good to eat home-cooked meals putting our healthy-ish tweaks into them according to doctor-recommended foods and cooking styles.

I am grateful we can buy the ingredients to include in our home-cooked meals.

I feel honored to be a part of this nursing volunteering group helping the community in Colorado and children in need in the Philippines born with cleft palate.

What are you proud of or thankful for?

Blur

 Blur

A Poem by Carin

She gives her head a nod and shakes

Her vision is blurry, not clear, or deep

After some wine, then lousy sleep

Sweet dreams and rest don't come that cheap

She rises from her cozy bed

Still tired but must now look ahead

Bowling for a Cause by PNACO

 

This is a fundraising effort of the Philippine Nurses Association of Colorado, a non-profit organization.

Heart ❤️ Healthy Food

 

Heart (Mind and Lung) Healthy Gratitude List

What am I grateful for? Let me cite and list.

1. Food I like and can afford: seafood, greens, oats, quinoa.
2. Learning to slightly brown quinoa to make it yummy before adding water when cooking. Yes, I just learned, this way I like quinoa. Can you say "keen-uhWAH?"
3. The ease of cooking quinoa. Guess what? It is easier than cooking rice and more nutritious and protein-rich.  
4. Youtube search for the ease of researching videos for entertainment and learning  It also stores silly videos I make  
5. My daughter helps me remove dead leaves from indoor plants. She also watered them.  I call her my family assistant as I pay her for coming over when she helps with chores. She makes my heart happy.
6. Life and a chance to make a difference and spread kindness. What’ve I I want loved ones to remember me by  I am no Irene Cara who can sing Fame and even her who in her song “wanna live forever” didn’t.  Each day, my chance renews to make good of myself and help others. Today is the day  
7. A breath of fresh air, however cold in Colorado. If you live in the Northeast, maybe wear a ski mask first. Sorry, Bostonians.
8. Football to entertain us in the cold weather, and watching in the comfort of our home by the fireplace.
9. Picking greens indoors.  Kale, anyone? 

Lettuce Grow Farmstand Hydroponics

Can I say, farming and football? :)

10. And last but not the least, TTOT, inspires me to think how lucky I am to have at least ten things to be thankful for.

Skillet in use: Le Creuset 

Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet 

Grill, 10.25", Cerise

Football, Poem, and a Tree

The Survivor Tree Women's Plus Size Football T-Shirtt; Carin Nurse Store: The Survivor Tree Women's Plus Size Football T-Shirt is one of the few designs I am selling for profit, to support my not-for-profit activities. Please take a look.

The Survivor Tree Women's Plus Size Football T-Shi> Carin Nurse Store: The Survivor Tree Women's Plus Size Football T-Shirt

Looking Back Last Month and Beyond

I revisited this blog after many months of abandonment. Somebody had to check it. It is still here. I had been occupied with work, family, and volunteer nursing activities. In my little free time, I admit, I tried and did escape to the tropics. I am thankful for that that because back home in beautiful Colorado, the red rocks had been covered with snow. It has been a cold, white winter. There is beauty in it, somehow. Cold, simple, and pure.

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My stevia plant died after I have not watered it enough for many days too often. I have the backup, no-care-needed sweetener in a herb-like container. It does the job to sweeten my drink.

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I had been drinking more hot drinks lately. More, I mean twice a day. This cappuccino from home is as good as some famous coffee shops. Paul and I invested in a small frother and cappuccino for home.

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I have been cooking more at home, as both my husband's and my blood pressure were higher than we want. We are lessening our sodium intake. Here I added some kale to our breakfast. It is delicious--husband approved. I was trying to stretch our last few eggs here :).

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I added some meat and vegetable from a simple, ready-to-cook (heat-up) dinner. The kit has enough sauce and flavor in it that the whole dish is still very flavorful. Another quick, easy, and somewhat healthy meal I was able to cook after a long day of hospital work. The cooked chicken added is a real-time saver too.

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To celebrate Chinese New Year, I thought we should have something red. The husband suggested lobster. It is a special occasion so we splurged a little. I added some corn. 

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Here he is enjoying our dinner. 

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Farmstand from Lettuce Grow

This hydroponic planter does not disappoint. It gives me greens all year long for almost three years now. 

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I changed the template, fonts, color, and some images of this blog. Most links from previous years are still here. Come to think of it, I still use many of the same things and recommend them. 

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I reviewed the about page. It reminded me of why I started this blog. This is a therapy blog for me. I hope I can inspire others, and in a few ways, teach others what not to do, maybe :). 

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Do not be lazy, Carin. 
Make time for journaling, blogging, or writing.
Let yourself be surrounded by positive people.