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.

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?

December Evening Celebrations

After Work Hospital Unit Party

December is usually a busy month when groups get together and celebrate outside of usual activities. This year, I skipped the holiday luncheon at work because I do not work that day (the 11th) and it was my son's birthday. We, in the intensive unit group, had a separate celebration on the 12th. It started before my shift was over, but I joined after work. I had one hour left of a 6pm to 9 pm all-you-can-eat-limited-choice drinks and appetizers as Paul and I arrived at around 8. With the time we had, we had 2 servings of alcohol, and a few bites of appetizer. I am thankful for days like this. It is great to just relax with co-workers outside the walls of the busy hospital in the intensive care unit.

Daughter's 2oth birthday (In Nike army shirt)

Saturday was my daughter's 20th birthday. She is my baby and looks young for her age, I think. She is still my sweet, fragile, sensitive little girl. We went to an arcade place but that night was an especially busy night. We did not even get a table to sit for appetizers and drink. The savvy prepared for this possibility and had the family have the cake and supper at home before we left. We played arcade games for 2 hours and spent at least half an hour claiming junk  toys with their tickets. I played a few piano games thinking my grandson would punch the keys too. He is 8 months and the keys are huge. Most of the time, I walked around carrying him with me and we went to visit the "big kids" playing.

Son's 21st Birthday

Last Wednesday, was my son's 21st birthday. I am surprised he is spending it with family and not doing some wild party somewhere with his friends. I got him his first legal drink at legal age. Surprisingly, he ordered a mixed drink and not some hard alcohol. Each of us had 2 drinks and we all "Ubered" home. I am thankful for Uber for keeping us safe.

Looking back, this year's December birthdays are the first in a long time we were all together. Nobody was on the run. They are too old for that anyway. My daughter and son were both home and not thinking about spending all day, all night with their friends instead. I am thankful for the togetherness. I am thankful that their wild, young days may be over, or did not happen this year, yet(?).

Halloween Gratitude 2019

Halloween 2019

 It is the month of November. Halloween just passed. Next comes Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then the New Year 2020. The year is almost over. I haven't finished my goals this year yet. I still have time. But I should not procrastinate.

Anyway, just as important, I have many blessings to fall back on this fall. Here is my list of gratitude.

1. A moment to enjoy my grandson's Scooby-Doo picture. Isn't he the cutest Scooby-Doo baby this year? All that I asked agrees with me!
2. Just eight years ago, my son, now a father, still dressed for Halloween. You can't see it here but he was a wounded skateboarder. (He had left his costume at a friend's house an hour away. . . ) How can he have a kid already? He is only (still) a/my kid!
3. Snowball was younger then. He is still cute now but he is missing a lot of teeth and his tongue always hangs on the left side. I love old pictures.
4. My daughter dressed up for Halloween this year still. She is 19 and still going to college. I am happy about that.
5. I work last Halloween. I am thankful nothing scary or gruesome happened at work that day.
6. I am thankful for a good talk with my boss last week. It makes me nervous sometimes when bosses make an appointment with me "just to talk." 
7. I am thankful for the reimbursement from work for my expenses obtaining a second nurse certification.
8. I am thankful that so far I am not behind taking two college courses at the same time while working fulltime. I am still alive and not buried with tons of homework. I am keeping up.
9. I am thankful for my health. I remember this every time I hear about another young woman diagnosed with breast cancer. I get sad then cheer up for MY HEALTH. 
10. My presentation went well in nursing education day. Speaking in front of others makes me nervous but I did alright.

May you have a list of gratitude to think about. Have a good week!

Time Together

          Do you have those moments when you just don't feel like getting out of bed? I had that day today. I kept thinking I should get up and start my day since 7 a.m. but just could not imagine that energy until 10. I was in bed for ten hours. My body felt heavy. My muscles were not sore or achy. 

          I got up, ate brunch and looked at social media for a long time. This is a lazy habit that kills time. It does not necessarily make me feel good but it is a habit that is hard to break. I ended watching the short videos and ads with a purchase of an e-book on my personality after answering a long questionnaire. I am a mediator, an introvert, an artist, a like-to-write, and a like-to-help kinda person. I bought it in hopes that I will learn how to improve based on my behavior. I am just so lazy lately that I disappoint mostly myself.

          I had a good week, actually. Many little good things happen. Last Saturday was my birthday. The following weekdays, I got to celebrate with my son with a lunch date and had a gym time with my daughter. With them being young adults, it is not easy to find a common schedule to do little things together. They also do not enjoy picture-taking when it is me taking their picture. But with selfies, they don't have a problem. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the time with them. The gym we frequent gave me free bottled water for my late birthday gift. What a surprise. 

          I do have apps on my phone, inspiring Podcasts to listen to, and that book that I purchased for self-improvement. FlyLady sometimes inspires me to be like a fairy, flying around the house making cleaning magic. Many days, I wish I can just buy the fairy to do the tasks for me. Why do I have to be the fairy? Or can I just buy the wand? I know, I should not be complaining. At least I have a house to clean. This reminds me of the incident last Wednesday night. when a toxic fume, headache, and nausea woke me up at 11 pm. I found my daughter spray painting the furnace room wall on a winter night! I screamed and she stopped immediately. We then aired out our house with fans and opened windows on a 20-degree winter night. We are lucky our house did not explode before I woke up. 

          Anyway, should I be thankful we have intact bodies, a house, heat, and each other? I think I should be.

House

Sometimes I take for granted some simple things

Comes Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring

The roof, the heat, the shelter I live in

The security I got used too, all comforting

Last night I awoke not from the smoke

From a deep sleep, my slumber suddenly broke

The fume, overwhelming, gave me an ache

In my head, that is, I could not take

I was nauseous too, as I went downstairs

I saw my teen spray painting by the furnace

It is winter night so it’s on too

I caught her in time, we could have . . . whew

The house could have blown up, but it did not

We are alive, so I thank God

We have a house, though not a lot

We are all safe and that’s enough

(And just in case you wonder . . . a “fine” scolding, my daughter got)

Happy Birthday Week

Sushi and Cake for Monday
Day 1 of my birthday week
Just for me

It’s my happy birth week!

Is there such a thing? 

Oh yeah, I say, to you

Nothing wrong with celebrating

Celebrating my survival

Despite the challenges of parenting

Sometimes, I wonder

Should I help, should I not?

With their adulting, that is

That may be quite a lot?

They are able to work

And weak, they are not

They can earn like their mom

Pay their bills (most of them)

Not delay and what not

Things like reminding them to get up

To make it to work

Not be tardy or miss 

Their ride and miss work

Or make sure to make

College education a priority

So, they don’t end up on the mercy

To live on charity

Or be a burden to me

Or to our society

Happy Thanksgiving

At Into The Fire ceramic painting studio with helpful staff, Arvada

The Christmas season is here! 

Wait, it is Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. Some streets are already decorated with Christmas lights. I am not ready yet. 

"Can we put the Christmas tree up?"

"Not yet. Let's wait until this weekend," I told my daughter.

We have a small foil tree that literally takes only five minutes to put up and decorate, ready with its light and all. Anyway, it does not matter. It is too early to put a tree up.

I feel hurried. 

Can I take the time to be thankful first?

Of course, I can. It is the Thanksgiving week, anyway . .  .It will be Thanksgiving Thursday before the Black Friday Christmas shopping event. 

Moving on, I am thankful for:

1. The freedom I get to enjoy in America. "God Bless America, my home sweet home."
2. The approaching year to give me a chance to start anew. I want to be more productive. I already started a new planner, ditching an old one, and using two guidebooks for gratitude. I am excited about 2018.
3. Teens staying home and being good. 
4. Look at me painting ceramics with my daughter.
5. Food on the table; most I got on sale. 
6. Early turkey and ham? Oh, yeah!
7. A stable job.
8. Financial room to increase my retirement savings contribution by one percent. Baby steps!
9. A little pampering I get to enjoy with my daughter, relaxing yoga, for 10-11 dollars per class in one of the top 5 yoga studio in my area. That's a good deal!
10. The weekly (or twice weekly) acupuncture continues to benefit me medically, and my insurance reimburses me for it. 

That is it for now. I may not have ten pictures this week but I am indeed thankful.

Have a good week. 

Smile!

Join us! 

Do Without Complaining

Can we go for a walk now?

I complain that my teens are messy in their rooms, that they don't help enough around the house . . . that . . .

Wait, two years ago, they were not even in the house. They ran away many times, etc.

I can clean up their rooms, do most of the tasks. The true peace in my heart is knowing where they are, hearing their voices, watching them eat, hearing their stories. . .

I am not going to allow complaints to invade my day. I close the door on it. There is no room for it in my heart.

Today, I will go to work thinking about what I can do to help my patients and their families. I will listen to their complaints with an open mind and help them.

It's gonna be a cold day. But for now, I have to tend to my dogs before I leave the house. They are watching me now craving for attention.

Philippians 2:14
"Do all things without complaining and disputing."

October Gratitude

Hello, hello. I have not posted anything or read my blog for three months. I just found out tonight than my paid domain has been deleted. *gasp* I am still here though, back with my old Blogspot name.

However busy I had been, in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I have to post my gratitude. I owe it to you to share my good news. Life is not always bad. I don't want to write just when I have something to complain about. But forgive me, I have to get this one thing out of the way. I was pretty bombed that someone really closed to me would say hurtful things about me when she thought she has hung up the phone after leaving me a voicemail. She was talking to someone else and her words HURT.

Today, after church, my daughter and I went to a store. She is picking up a dress for senior picture taking (fun) and it was taking a long time. So I went to the book section and got a book by John Hagee--Daily Truth, a daily devotional book. For today, he wrote that many times people attack...others deflecting their own shortcomings . . . shine the spotlight on  your [my] mistakes..." He added, "Rather than fretting, focus . . . fully expect.. the blessings of heaven . . . "

I found ten pictures above I am thankful for. I thank God for:

1. My personal clown, Paul, for putting laughter in my life, Halloween or not.
2. Funny friends who can also be clowns.
3. Yummy Halloween cookies and fun decors.
4. Velvet, who can put a serious picture on her face while playing.
5. Velvet, who makes my loyal walking companion, unlike Paul.
6. Props from Facebook. Who needs to buy expensive Halloween costumes when they are virtual props for free?
7. Old pictures from 7 years ago of my kids and their friend, one day in October. Aren't they're cute with their arm tattoos?
8.  Many days of warm-enough day to walk with my dogs.
9. A reminder that my kids (now teens) were very helpful raking leaves eight years ago in Fall. 
10. My health that I have the strength to rake the leaves, walk the dogs, and go to a Halloween party (and be a dark Morticia for a night). I really tried to look white like Morticia but I am not good at this at this makeup thing.

***

A schoolmate of mine passed away recently. She was 47, still young, but had chronic illnesses. I pray for her soul and her family. At the same time, I have so much gratitude I still have my health. I will never take that for granted.

***

I am so excited to hear from you and read your blogs. Thank you all!

Forcing Myself to Express Gratitude

Hello. Hello. Here I am again this week. Back with a thankful post, I did not feel like writing.

My oldest child (18) surprised me with an old car he bought a few days ago--a Dodge Stratus 2003, sedan, with a sportsy look. Never mind the paint that needs to be redone. That is just cosmetics. But the windshield has cracks in two spots. In addition, the front tires are bald, and the first time he introduced it to me, it did not even start.

"Oh, I must have left a light on."

Maybe.

The car is operable again but I am still nervous. He was supposed to work today at 4 pm, I thought. At 3:45 pm, I got hold of him. He was about to drive from a park to home. He said he'd go home to change his shoes before work. Half an hour later, I could not concentrate. My head is hurting and I was almost certain he got into some kind of trouble.

He came home for a couple minutes. He seemed OK. He works at 4:30 pm, he said. I wished he would have told me earlier.

Communication. We need to talk more.

I told him about the dangers of driving with two front bald tires for the minute I had with him before he left for work. He was already late anyway. His work was ten minutes away.

Anyway, for my sake, I should avoid thinking negatively automatically. He was not answering the phone earlier because he was driving. He knows he is not supposed to use the phone while driving, maybe, just like I told him.

What should I be doing? Be thankful. Think positive.

I took this week off. I planned this ahead as, during summer, my hospital unit is slow. So I am thankful I can do some fun things I enjoy like watching my dogs get silly and jealous with each other as my daughter pet each one.

I decided to declutter my home so I can actually see and use the things I want to use. Plus, I boxed several things for donation. My kids let go of their bikes as well that they have not touched for more than a year, so more room in the garage for my son's (very old) new car.

My daughter and I did some gardening. I have a small backyard that my three dogs use as a toilet so no more vegetable gardening there. I cheated and bought a tomato, squash, peppers, rosemary, and basil already in pots, some already with flowers. My daughter likes planting the flowering perennials so I let her do that.

I earned an Amazon card for participating in healthy activities at work so I used it to but a small electric mower. I have a small lawn and only a manual mower, but boy, the electric made the job a breeze. Oh, that reminds me, I am donating my old mower as well. That may have been easy pushing a manual mower ten years ago, but not anymore.

We had a good time watching Paul's son play high school basketball this summer. I still want to complain, though, about the entrance fee of $8 per person for adults. This is high school, geez.

Isn't Velvet, my brown dog so cute? Who said Pitbull (mix) dogs are fierce?

I am thankful for Blue Apron meals my aunt let me try for free. I have made gourmet-hotel-good home cooked meals because of the service.

Okay now, the sky is dark, and it might rain. I am worried about my son again driving his car with bald tires. Soon, I hope, he'd change them.

Do yourself a favor and express your gratitude with this fun team.

Family Time in California

1. We flew to and drive through California to visit my teens' relatives from both sides. We met at like the In N' Out burger with its fresh burger and fries. It is a joint we don't have in Colorado and one that my young nephews and niece like. I also saw my cousin who just arrived from the Philippines with her new husband.
2. For my hyperactive son, we went to John's arcade with all-you-can-eat pizza, salad, and dessert. He spent a good two hours playing football and basketball there. He had a great upper body workout for two hours. My sister and I hit the food bar of course. I also went for a virtual ride with my daughter a couple of times with its moving seat and fan going and played bowling with one of my nephews.
3. I get to pick calamansi fruits in my sister's backyard in Bakersfield. It is a citrus fruit sweeter than lemon that is common in the Philippines. I also enjoyed the early morning walk with her in their quiet neighborhood. There was nobody walking outside but us.
4. I posed with my former roommate in her restaurant. She is wearing the orange top. She has a Filipino restaurant and gave us a big treat with her very good food just as we ordered. She never lets me pay though.
5. As if the Filipino lunch was not enough that day, we had dinner in another Filipino restaurant to meet more relatives. My teens spend time with their older step twin-sisters. It has been three years since their last meeting. My son ordered the same thing in this restaurant--Kare-kare (peanut based beef stew). I guess he did it to compare. He liked them both.
6. While in Northern Cali, we stayed in an inn half a block from the beach. It was cold but it still makes a nice view from our room window. I liked the sea breeze smell.
7. We also met up with their cousins, grandmother, and father. We ate together and the boys bonded while playing basketball in the rec center. Of course, we had Filipino food--Dinuguan (chocolate meat) with steamed rice. Their grandma brought it to share. She does not drive and took the bus herself to meet up at a relative's house. She got there before we did. She is so sweet.
8. I am so thankful that their dad showed up sober, unlike the last time. I am very happy for my kids that they get to see their dad like this.
9. I get to spend time with my aunt who has chronic renal failure. Although I did not like to see her so thin I am glad to see her and get to talk to her.\
10. My son did not wander this trip unlike three years ago. Never did I spend time calling him or tracking him with his phone wondering where he was. I like him better 18 than 15! Look at him even stopping to eat so I could take a picture. The bowl in front of him is his favorite Kare-kare, of course.

I felt bad my kids did not see their one aunt and two cousins. They were not available 3 years ago as well because of her work. It has been 10 years since my kids saw them. 

I am still thankful we saw the rest of the relatives we expected to see. 

I thought a month notice was good enough and being told (us) that they could not make it the day before we meet because of a week-long viewing does not make a 100% sense to me. 

Anyway, I use this moment to reflect on myself and teach my teens that it is a great importance to spend time with our loved ones while we are alive. Time is precious. And no matter what, we should try to make the most of what we have and show our love. 

To the friends and family who made time to see us, I truly appreciate them.

Growing Teens This Spring

A month has passed, and I have not posted anything! Did you miss me? LOL. I am alive and doing great.

Here are my gratitude list and the reasons why I am occupied.

1. My first born just graduated from high school. Two years ago, I did not even imagine this is possible as he was skipping days and sometimes months of school. He turned around and took extra credits to graduate on time on top of working full time as a new young manager at a pizza chain.
2. He requested to eat at Red Lobster. Where we are, I was not too impressed with their lobster and shrimp, but this night, it was awesome. The seafood including mussels was fresh, we had a blast for his graduation dinner. He even apologized that the meals were expensive. I was like, where did this teen come from? It was his graduation night.
3. My house got hit hard by golfball-sized hail last month. It is not to be thankful for. My siding and roof are damaged, but I just got my first check from my insurance yesterday to pay my contractor for replacement.
4. My son, yes the one who's behaving so differently got me a mother's day card with his artsy work all over it. He even thanked me for being his mother and father. I was so touched. His dad is almost non-existent, especially after our divorce. I feel so appreciated.
5. Look at my handsome son in his senior picture!
6. Paul has to be silly in our dinner picture, of course.
7. My son on his graduation gown makes it more real that he really did graduate. LOL.
8. He gave me a long-stemmed rose for the first time on Mother's day. It also marks my 18th year of being a mom. The only other time he gave me a flower was when he was six. He was so proud to give me a dandelion. I reminded this to him, and he just laughed.
9. What's more from my son? He gave me a Teddy bear for Mother's day!
10. My daughter, of course, as sweet as she is, gave me a gift and a card for Mother's day. This is the first Mother's day we were all together in the last few years. It was indeed very special. I think the used-to-be defiant teens left the house for good.  I have my teens and my home back!

Read more gratitude post through TToT blog.

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.

***

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. :)

***

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?

Join us above.

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.

It's Better to Kiss

I admit I have been postponing to write about a K-word because the word that keeps popping out of my head is the word kill, LOL. I wonder why? Kill is such a strong word and so negative. I've got to write something positive, right?

Jump

A little depressed, nothing to do

I turned to my side

to the radio at the bedside

I picked a station

That gives me joy 

The one that plays

Jazz and  jingles that I enjoy
Soon, I'm not upset

I am not even mad

Instead, I'm glad and jumping 

Happy, just like that

(or at least, I got up from the bed)