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?

Picture This x 10

The week is not complete without good food and the company of my loved ones. So this week's gratitude is full of time with my children, my pets, and my soul mate Paul.

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)

Colors and Peacocks

There is beauty around us

It may be for fee or for free

Regardless, it is there

To enjoy, for you and me

Imperfect Life

My life is not perfect. Whose life is? So instead of getting stuck on the negative, I focus on my wins. Gratitude makes me feel good.

***

ICU

Yesterday was a usual busy weekday in our unit. I work in adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a nurse. I was going through my day, almost-without-intention or effort pacing in the halls from one end to another. I was logging 8 to 10,000 steps a day in my Fitbit. Well, that is not all I do, of course.  I help other nurses and patients grabbing things, getting supplies, pulling meds for others, until my first my patient arrives from surgery.

I Can See You All

What is it about small dogs and their feeling of superiority?
Here's my 14-year old miniature poodle, Snowball.
He tries to rule my other 2 dogs,
Border Collie and a mixed Pitbull. 
They looked down on him, though, 
after he gets off the couch, like saying, "really?"
They're all really funny to watch.

Birthday on the Cheap

Paul is my boyfriend for almost seven years now. We are both mature and raising teens separately from a previous marriage. We are in no hurry to tie the knots. Some time we will get there before we move to our retirement home :). Anyway, we have grown very relaxed with each other, and we laugh a lot together. It revolves around (mostly) how cheap he is. Of course, I like to exaggerate but that's what jokers do. 


Here's what my cheap boyfriend did this week.

1. My boyfriend is so cheap, he took me out for a birthday lunch in a Japanese restaurant (not cheap, but . .  ). Then, instead, of ordering me dessert there, he took me to an ice cream shop next door.  "it is cheaper there," he says. 
2. Not only that but instead of taking me for a nice walk in the park while licking our ice cream, he asked to walk just outside in the parking lot. He did not want to waste gas on a drive to the park. 
3. We also stirred away from the stores especially the Jewelry store. "They are open," he says. (This reminds me when he offered to walk to the mall with me after 6 pm when the stores were closed. I really liked a pair of boots I could see through the display that I could not buy).
4. "I will take you for a nicer date on Saturday for your birthday week." Something to look forward to, so I thought . . .  He took me to a trade show to look at RVs, not to buy but just to look. He was even complaining about the $10 entrance fee he paid for both of us.
5. Oh, I haven't told you about the big stone he gave me for my birthday. It was this plastic gem on a Hallmark card. Yup, that's my stone pictured above!

Oh, Paul makes me laugh. Please note, I am not putting him down. I really like the guy. He is such an awesome person and he truly takes care of me. He keeps me happy.

Birthday Week

Oh my, I turned 46 this week. There are many things I am thankful for, and here's a few.

1. A birthday week is not complete without a cake, even if I had to buy it for myself, LOL. I received many gifts I did not ask for so I cannot complain. I am thankful for easy ready-made delicious Oreo ice cream cake I bought last night to share with my dear daughter after a busy day from work in the hospital.