2012 a Year of Loss

I can honestly say I am happy that this year is finally coming to an end. It has been a year filled with great loss for my Florida Family.  We lost so many great family members this year, and it was difficult to be so far away during their time of need. I know they understand we were there in spirit and our prayers were with them throughout.

Being here in Tennessee has it draw backs as far as we are no longer next door and able to participate in their everyday life.  Our Florida family will always be an important part of our lives. They are the family we chose and not our blood family but there is no difference in our hearts.

So I wanted to pay tribute to those of our Florida family that have left us this year.

Louis Lozito, Uncle Louie to my dogs.  Louis was the kindest, sweetest man that I have ever met.  He was big softie when it came to animals. He would watch over my two or three whenever I had to be gone during the day. It was also common to see the wild ducks following him around because they knew he would sneak them treats as well. Connie Lozito, the Grand Mother of our group, always ensuring everyone was okay and doing what they needed to do to stay safe and healthy.  Connie would show up with home-made soup if she saw your car in the drive way for two days. Connie and Louis lived across the street and I never had to worry about my house when I was away for Connie was always on watch in our little corner of the neighborhood.  The best times where on Friday afternoon when all would gather on Connie’s Corner; catch up on everyone’s week, plans for weekend, and simply enjoy each other.

 

John Persico, a man’s man, good friend and who had a heart bigger than the East Coast. If you ever needed something John was there to assist. John was always full of life and could always make you laugh; yeah I will admit it even for a Yankee he was okay.  I mean we supposedly share Connie’s front yard one night or so our Florida Family would claim.  …

 

I know Paul and I will always have a special place in our hearts and in our home for these three wonderful dear Florida family members. They may no longer be participating in our gathering, or our cruises but we know they are always going to be part of our lives.

So as we had a wonderful Christmas here in Tennessee. Our family was together and remembering those that are not with us.  We had the Evelyn tree, the Elizabeth angel lit and the memories from the Christmas past.  Each holiday is more special as we get to spend it with Dad and Sister but our Florida family will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

Keep Dancin’

LB

Line Dance Class Established

I have been in Clarksville, TN for little over a year and marketing myself as a Line Dance Instructor. I have put myself in front of everyone I could to establish a line dance class.  I thought moving to an area 45 minutes from Nashville; I would find lots of classes to take for myself and instructors in the area that would be able to give me advice on how to establish oneself in the area.

This was not the case; I could not find one class being taught in the Clarksville area. Now if you want to take a Zumba class they are everywhere but no dance classes.  I was fortunate to connect with some ladies through my sister’s softball team that assisted in introducing me to the folks at the Clarksville Athletic club. I was able to provide class there for four months with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society.  As they say when one door closes another opens.

I had been to the Parks and Recreational Department numerous times with my flyer, business card and copy of my liability insurance. I was either there at the wrong time of year, wrong time due to a city function or vacation issues.  Finally, I received a call from Melissa at the P & R department. After our first meeting, I was in the door and picking out the room to hold my class.

If not for the encouragement of my mentor, Stella Cabeca, I might have just given up on pursuing my goal of establishing my own class. Stella was instrumental in providing me with how to set up a class, how to approach the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department and how to get a beginner’s class off the ground.

Now I have a new flyer with a location and start date for my new International Line Dance class in Clarksville, TN.  I am moving ahead with developing the first few weeks of classes.  I am busy printing the step sheets and downloading the music.  For the next couple of weeks, I will be hitting the road again to local store owners to request posting my new flyer. I have one store owner that has not only agreed to post in her window but requested flyers to use as stuffers in her customers purchase bags.  That particular shop owner has even got her whole staff interested in taking my class. Now that is what I call local support.

Here is to a great 2013 and a big bear hug/thank you to all those who has supported me.

Keep Dancin’  LB

Homeward Bound

Well it has been a hectic week in South Florida, it was great to see old friends and to be in the office. I always enjoy being in the office and seeing all my fellow co-workers even though I have to admit I get more work done in my own little office in Tennessee. I mean after 20+ years of working alone in my home, the concept of dressing and driving to an office is just so foreign to my mindset.

I got the chance this week to teach some line dancing, and dance with a large number of the field staff. Now that was a fun day and I have the video to use for blackmail if the need ever arises.. Just kidding.. or am I .

I also got to surprise my International Line Dance Instructor, Stella Cabeca. I was able to announce in her Thursday night class that because of her encouragement, support and mentoring; I will be signing a contract with the City of Clarksville, Tennessee to provide an International Line Dance class at the Crow Community Center starting in February, 2013.

Yet as I sit here at the Ft. Lauderdale airport; a calmness has come over me for I know I am heading home. What a difference a year makes in one's life, for over 20 years South Florida was home. Now it is a place where the office is located and long time friends live.  I know I am always welcome down in South Florida but I also know it will never feel the same, it will never be home.

It is simply too busy, too crowded and just too hot for me now. I am a Tennessean now and could not be happier.  The pace of life is slower, people are friendly and a whole lot less of them to deal with than here in South Florida.

So yes it was a good week in South Florida but can they load this plane any faster. My body and soul needs to be back in the hills of Tennessee.  

Keep Dancin'  LB

Technology, What a Wonderful Invention

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Christmas is just around the corner. Are you ready for the thrill of the hunt for those special and unique gifts?  Many of you will utilize the internet as part of that hunt, just as I am.

 In that quest, I ran into a computer issue this week.  A firewall upgrade was downloaded into my system and required a reboot.  Once back up I discovered that I was not able to obtain access to my network. I was cut off from everything, no email, no internet; nothing would run at least on the computer. Thankfully I do have a tablet but like the laptop for searching internet.  Of course, after I recovered from the shock, I ran every diagnostic I have on the computer and deleted files/programs I determined were not necessary any longer.  I still could not resolve my problem and I am pretty good with this techie stuff.  Once that failed and I completed some relaxation exercises to maintain my control. I called Support.

 After hours on the phone with support and going through every possible solution, I was told I would have to speak to another technician that would probably be able to resolve my issue.  Needless to say, I was, by this time, not a happy camper.   The new techie called and within 10 minutes had my issue resolved and I was back up and running. 

I appreciated so much all the patience and knowledge that these support guys provided to help me.  Even when they, themselves could not figure out why the program was doing this strange action.  I got to thinking how difficult it must be for them every day dealing with irate customers and strange computer issues.

We all have that support person in our company or even in our own home that is always catching the heat when our technology goes awry.  So why not let them know we do appreciate and acknowledge their skill. The next time you speak to a support person, express your gratitude and apologize for your attitude.  For that person in your home, make them a special dinner and thank them for putting up with your impatience.

Happy Hannakah which begins Saturday December 8^th at sundown.

Keep Dancin’  LB