Football, Poem, and a Tree

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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.

 

January Gratitude 2023

It is the beginning of the year that I got a chance to get away to the tropics, kinda close to my home country where I was born. I found comfort in laying on the sand as I watched a few people passing by. Most of them were taking group pictures. I can almost tell, they were on vacation just like me.

I walked to the community garden and picked star fruit and a small grapefruit from the trees. I thought I would take a picture with the bird of paradise flower for a good mix of colors.

One morning, I rose from bed early enough to capture the sunrise. I was in the northern part of the island so it was tricky to get a good enough shot of the sun as it appear from the east. I captured a little of it, anyway. How could simple things like sunrise be so beautiful?

On a hike, I found this message on a post. It translates to, "Peace on earth."

 

Along the hike, there is a swimming hole I did not dare to jump into. I assume it is cold. I heard locals like swimming here. It scares me, however cute.

Back in Colorado, it is cold. I took time this morning to make a cappuccino with frothed milk. Simply comforting. 

I am grateful for many things.

Bye 2021, Let Us Do Better 2022

I have been meaning to write, but the energy I am lacking--for during my days off work, all I want to do is throw my body on the couch and stay there for hours, often sleeping overnight there too. It is hard to get myself to climb the stairs to the cozier bed. I kept waking up to toss and turn, thinking I should be on my feet, maybe to go upstairs in the bedroom, or to the kitchen to do the dishes, or do laundry, or sort the mail--to lessen the clutter in the house. Even the indoor plants are now showing signs of neglect from me. The leaves look brownish and hang down low, almost like the plants outside the house in this winter season--brittle and dry. I thank my supportive partner in life, my supportive husband who literally picks up the slack and keeps our living space a home.

I thank my family, my grandkids especially. I smile as I watch them enjoying some simple things in life. They can keep themselves occupied with child's play from the discounted Christmas party games I bought when we celebrated the day after Xmas. (I worked Xmas, New Year, and the eves before). Aren't after-season sales great? We got "Pin the Snowman carrot nose," and a "Snowball-dart" board. Josiah, my 2-year old grandson, jumps for joy every time he throws the gel ball in the bull's eye target.

At work, I feel grateful for the core staff who choose to stay and work with the teams in the hospital. We are the minority while most staff are traveling professionals (nurses and respiratory therapists). I feel grateful for the staff who maintains their calm. It is hard to keep our heads up high and smile beneath our personal protective equipment. 

We lost many patients, and two in my family within a month. My patience and resiliency are being stretched to the limits. How much more can I endure? My compassion is wearing thin and I have to remind myself, I am still lucky that I have the knowledge, resources, and support to do what is right most of the time. I am grateful for all those blessings.

Salamat.

Happy Place

We have quite a few nurses leaving the intensive care unit to relocate, change job positions, or work in neighboring hospitals for more money and/or a different environment. Many, I think, are searching for that happy place, like any other place except where they are currently. For now, my husband and I take some moments as able, to getaway. The anticipation, planning, actual vacationing, and memories of good experiences get us by. We are lucky enough to have the strength and resources to do this. Saving for it, doing tasks that are not always our favorite, and making sacrifices all help to make our happy place within reach (or one flight away).

We visited Kauai. The beaches are clean with fish easy to watch and enjoy. The air is refreshing, the ambiance peaceful.

Even the full moon is beautiful. The reflection on the water makes the area so bright.

This tree from a garden is so unique. It looks almost unreal. 

I am thankful for the good times we had.

Summer is in the Air

It's June! I haven't fully experience spring yet and it's almost summer. Where did the spring go?

It is still here, I guess. I am between what to plant outdoors? Spring plants or Summer plants in relation to the best season to plant them. Oh, well, maybe both. At least, the probability of frost may be over. It is usually by Memorial day in Colorado.

I have many reasons to be thankful aside from the nice weather suitable for planting. It is also a good season to hike. Look at my two-year-old grandson. He is a natural hiker. He just loves exploring the outdoors, perhaps more than my son, his dad, wants. He would pick up anything interesting in his eyes. Bugs? Dandelion? To me, as long as he does not try to taste them, is OK. :)

My son caught a fish after trying so many times. Simple fun.

My daughter playing "hair" with a Fuschia headpiece my niece, gave us something to smile about.

I am planting again. My outdoor tower planter is full of tomatoes both from store brought starters and seeds I sowed. The flowers in pots is from the store for the instant garden while I am waiting for the seeds I planted to grow all around the backyard.

Simple pleasures. Candies to my eyes. Even my husband likes them.

Have a pleasant week.

Easter 2021

It's that season again

when the breeze is warm enough

To go out in nature

And the hike is not so rough

The ground is dry enough

The rock's not so slippery

As we climbed the trails above

Not so muddy but rocky

There's not much greenery

But a hint of good scenery

With young growth below, yet premature

Give a hope that reassures

Then Easter Day we were looking forward to

Came by and flew through

A few weeks of preparation

With our three generations

Putting up decorations

Getting gifts all ready

Making food for everybody

Some are healthy, some . . . just yummy

The egg hunting that used to be for our children

Some many years ago 

are now enjoyed by our grandkids

Who reminds us of those early years

The happy birthday days of festivities

The joy from those activities

Makes me grateful for simple things 

That has not changed

Spending time, playing, and eating together

Can bring joy altogether

Volunteer

Hey. We are a small group of nurses volunteering in Colorado called PNACO. Our group is non-for-profit for the state and United States. We have grouped all over the US and in the Philippines benefitting local communities. 

Our next fundraising is BINGO online via zoom best used with a computer. Join us! Let me know if you want to join under comments.

Birthday Month

Here are some random photos I picked

From my collection that makes me think

The smiles and laughs shared

With the people who care

I share my birthday month with some loved ones

Some close, some far

With distance or heart

In my thoughts they are present

Sometimes that's all that matter

The experience, tastes, and feelings matter too

Simple things like easter bombs "cocoa"

A manicure with massage

And more sweet happy birthday cakes

A workout in different virtual destinations

I cannot go there for real but virtually I can

New Zealand, Spain, the Pacific Islands

All in one day

Imagined or virtual

They can bring joy

Happy birthday Birthday to . . . Me

I turn golden this year and celebrated with my forever soulmate. Years ago, I did not anticipate celebrating the day with a group of 2 :). It is happy, nevertheless. We had a weekend get-away to a city nearby, in a hotel, and eating out twice a day in selected restaurants we managed to get reservations at. We are grateful we were able to do this.

Another time, we spent the evening with a vaccinated couple with wine tasting and dinner while we join a Zoom get-together with other wine-taster couples and the Wine producers in California (if that's what you call them). We had good bottles of wine - Zinfandels and champagne of some brands I did not think I would have tried.

This afternoon, we had my volunteer meeting via Zoom talking about our fundraising  to benefit a scholarship and COVID victims. Then, we played BINGO online. It was a good way to end our rather serious meeting.

I feel grateful for good food, volunteers, my husband, my friends, and all the mediums we use more often than two years ago to get around the inconveniences of the pandemic.

Comfort

I harvested some greens from my indoor hydroponic planter. The greens can't get fresher than these, harvested right from my dining room. They are perfect with the Costco-size beef and pork. 

I cooked six dishes. Most left-overs will be frozen for later like after-work dinner when most times, we are too exhausted to cook.

I am grateful for the memory of cooking comfort I remembered from childhood in the Philippines--peanut stew, adobo, pork chops seasoned with lemon pepper, and sour soup. 

I am grateful for the recipes readily available from the internet, the oven, instapot, and air fryer. I was able to cook 6 dishes in 2 hours, preparation time included. You'd think I was in a cooking contest under time-pressure. Only the judges (my family) are more forgiving and very appreciative of my cooking.

I am grateful for the simple things I get to enjoy with my family--walking outdoors, however cold, before the snow hit--picture taking, and watching TV together.

I am even thankful for a friend and a co-nurse who is finally resting after two-month hospitalization from COVID. She must be in heaven.

Until next time.

Visit

Surrounding 

Visiting

Spending time with the people you love

Takes a chunk of your time

Yet the pay off is worthwhile

I did these just yesterday and the day before

While the days were bright, no rain, no pour

So today it’s wet and we could not go out 

I am thankful we did as we all look up

New Year 2021 Gratitude

Welcome to my first post in the New Year 2021. Most of my off days are still spent indoors. It is cold outside. 39 degrees in Colorado. With still some social distancing, I still have many things to be grateful for this second wave of COVID.

• A family member was hospitalized in December but released in early January in better health.
• The COVID population in my hospital is low.
• I completed my 2/2 COVID immunization. It is something to be thankful for being in Tier 1A as I work in the intensive care unit.
• A working fireplace to sit close to - at home.
• A pedicure service for me and my daughter (and a cheese grater for callus removal *laughing out loud*)
• Chair massager at home to go home to after a long day at work.
• My family loves the chair, even little Josiah who is not even two.
• Funny Josiah whatever he does. He eats like a dog with a spoon and fork in his hands. Who needs those spoons and forks? They are just props.
• Kiddie masks fitting Josiah. He does not mind much wearing it. For many things, kids are easier to train.

• Zen time painting cards for a cause (to support some COVID families). My nursing group is starting this project to sell for our fundraising.
• My coworkers still in the fight defending our patients from COVID.
• Ventilators.
• Trimmer to cut my husband's hair. He let me! 
• YouTube for hair trimming instructions. Shhh
• Cupcakes too good to eat. I ate the pearl-like thingies anyway. Delish.
• Chesla the Tesla my husband gifted me. 4 days a week I am on the road for two hours so the self-driving feature on the highway helps a lot and decreases my stress driving.
• Audiobooks to listen to while on the road.