Comes in with a warmness, unusual in Florida. Normally, the weather here is chilled, at least to the 60s. What with such 80 to 90 degree weather outside, inside is the place to have air conditioning to compensate comfort. So, COOKING on Thanksgiving Day may be a chore, beyond the usual happiness; for my household – my daughter has the privilege of doing half the meal. I shall do the other half.

A glazed ham, sweet potato pie, Jell-O with fruit chunks, and the serving and dining items. Anyway it turns out, this is going to be the first time I am officially retired, awaiting something beautiful to occur. At 62 – well there’s no telling or thinking nor imagining what to expect. Most years previous there was lots of laughter, guests, and tummys filled with flatulence. So – why should this year be any different?!? Just because it is the first year that I am trying to no think of anyone deceased,

Deceased relatives and friends are a way of creeping into the heart and soul of me and many others. How to cope with that emptiness at the table, it has yet to be etched in stone. I however placed only one or two loved-one (deceased) in a category of ‘resting in a non-painful world’ to adjust from sadness and loneliness, by their empty seats.

Somehow, this year seems to be ending with a glimmer of light, for the future years that I and many others pursuit, till we too are away from the table. But for now – I thank my relatives and friends for Halloween Night’s glamour. I thank those delightful and beautifully masked and costumed kiddies and their parents, for the opportunity to photograph them – as they ‘Trick or Treated’ me and my neighbors. This was the best, non-sad holiday, for me!!!

“Thank you for the tomorrows that can bring more of the same into my life.”

And one other non-holiday Thank You – to the registered Basic Computer students, for their interest in technology without the fearfulness to decline studying, as I insist they will get-it, and be smarter than me pretty soon.

In my house – actually  outside – for the joy of kiddies in costumes, trick or treating, laughing, carrying on in silly but delightful ways. Yes, my senior citizen students are invited, neighbors are invited, and anybody that knocks or walks to my encroachment area (the entrance way to my house) will be surprised that there is a table with goodies, and skull to serve treats.

The image above is from a party in Homestead FL last year or the year before. Now, this is what it’s all about. Costumes, relatives, friends, and junk foods.

Well, as dumb as it may seem, it is something that I have sort of wanted to do for years. The allergies, the COPD, and the tiredness has prevented such but this year – the hell with it all. I am going to enjoy a holiday with the full spirit, as when I was a trick or treater. Happy children make for happy adults, years down the road a piece (in my way of believing). 

If you know me (Lana) stop by for a hello and a piece of cake, lasagna (compliments of Jo-Ann), and other goodies from me (brownies, cupcakes, and cut-out cakettes). So – don’t sit home and do nothing. Get up and travel, for an adventure of simple fun, filled with meeting new individuals and chatting the night away.

Quote From then to now food has been a delightful adventure. Changing recipes to display occasions makes holidays more meaningful. A am attempting to develop a book from old recipes which have been improved upon. The book may be ready to view within several weeks; then again, it may be much longer. Lana Reddock (author)

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Today there were 8 students, most of the session; it began with 9 but one left early.  It appears that the computer basic class has become the improving skills class, for senior citizens. It would be nice to have this many new students monthly, along with the large quantity of students that are increasing their abilities. Having students work together has been an asset, in large classes. Fortunately I do not have speak in Spanish to several students because my proficiency is not great. I am happy that our bi-lingual students speak English as well as I and others.

There is a blog page on Google the I began but rarely can locate; this is a reminder blog for either hotmail.com or live.com – seeing this may activate a how-to for me.

Google

…is a beautiful place to visit. There is nothing and everything to do, anywhere. Arriving safely, locating hotel, and getting acclimated to the weather change (from Florida’s warm to chilly) is a new thing for Robert and Lana (me).  Our journey was without problems. Our visit is becoming not long enough. We are going to be returning home on Monday (leaving here) for the long drive back to Florida. Our actual arrival day is Tuesday – in the afternoon or early evening.

Our hotel room is lovely, the staff is wonderful, and the morning meal in the lobby’s galley-like area is superb. The coffee is abundant and hot; cereals are available, both dry and instant; bagels, muffins, hard boiled eggs, yogurts, and fruit juices were daily replenished. The assortment of jellies, and packages of butter and cream cheese for bread or waffles is also plentiful. Yep…a great way to start any day.

SO – we are going to miss our experience here once home; we are definitely going to miss our son, daughter (in-law), and granddaughter. This is one of the most memorable visits of the past three years (or so). Robert and I may be returning again next year, to not break with our annual gathering, of visiting and sharing our granddaughter’s growth and development and our experience of having a vacation to remember.

brings along much of the same, in regards to my leg injury; it still has not quite healed.  There is a darkened scar-tissue, which gives me a weird feeling.  Eventually, it will be less visible.

Next week Robert and I are leaving for AL. We have a map already and it seems easy enough.

Classes at the center will be postponed after Tuesday’s class until I return, the Thursday, which is the 8th of October.

Everything else is good…!

Even my breathing seems less intense, during the normal course of a day; it is difficult when I walk from here to there, for several minutes to a half an hour (depending upon how far the distance had been) – to catch my breath without using the inhaler. I try not to abuse the usage; have been up to 8 puffs a day last few weeks but saw the Specialist and found it was too much. He prescribed a medication, which decreased the shortness-of-breath, and now I seem to be stabilizing. I hope it continues…!

Quote The most beautiful girl(s) in the world and their my niece(s);  I am the luckiest one of all!

This is a day to watch James Bond movies. I made Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and a Salad for dinner. Nothing else really went on except for relaxing.

September’s class begins on Tuesday and so far, there may be no new students. There are five regulars, from June and August that may re-register. They are doing pretty good and have more detail oriented overviews, to think about and to apply – in their documentation of whatever interests them.

My Robert (Bob) is doing good, healthy and still going strong, in his daily activities. There are time that I wish I were in as good health as he; actually, the C.O.P.D. that has me does not stop me too much. It has slowed me down though. Walking or any exertion, even for short distances gets me short of breath, to the point of requiring a couple of puffs on an inhaler. Oxygen is used at times, after walking upstairs at night; also – sometimes downstairs, just because it is necessary to breath without stress, after doing miniscule household chores.

The insurance has been cancelled, therefore I will have to pay out of pocket expenses, for oxygen in the future I think. I have been paying monthly for prescriptions (nearing $175.00) and medical doctor costs ($$$ what is requested) as well. There is an old-idiom … “What’s it worse…?”  Well that idiom has finally reached home, in a clearly definable way.

Today is another class

MSN.com

I am okay not great; the leg is beginning to show signs of healing. The computer is acting oddballish. There is two lessons for the students today, at the center. And, to offset the morning, shopping for groceries – for the weekend – will follow. That’s a busy day for me…!

Arrived 5:15am July 9th, taxi brought me to hotel, and I registered. Breakfast was a delight, after the long hours on the bus. Contacting my Bob, Barbara, and Dennis T was unaccomplished. Dennis’s telephone number was deleted from my cell, instead of the house number -  it has been disconnected. Jennifer called and all is okay with her.

After an hour I contacted the vehicle rental for the vehicle I arranged online, just in case. Finally the vehicle and I are joined, for either one day or until Saturday. A cab can drive me  to the bus depot, for the early morning drive to AL from GA.  In a few minutes I may shower and shampoo, rest till early evening, for a dinner alone or with relatives here in GA – for the Changing of Commend tomorrow. Currently I am exhausted, after a drive from the rental location to the hotel, which I have twice or thrice driven past.

Robert called finally; it seems as though it is late in the day when in fact – it is only 11:05am. Although not hungry now, I am thinking of dinner.

This is the first time I have been able to connect, in the Public Library. It is a good thing to do, for research and blogging.