Labor Day 2014

Depending on whether you count from the first Labor Day or from when it became a Federal Holiday. This Labor Day is the 132th or 120^th. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival would be held to amuse local workers and their families.

In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events. This Labor Day marks the Second Anniversary of moving into what we call our Forever Home. Just three short years ago, we moved from Florida into the little house on the Bluff (condo) then built and moved into this house 11 months later. 

The past three years has been full of ups and downs with making new friends and losing a few as well. We have been blessed with a whole new Tennessee/Kentucky Family. They have been a great addition to our lives and we love them all. 

Larry B., My Line Dance Instructor Persona, is finally a resident instructor at Murph’s Country Music Barn in Cedar Hill, TN.  As of August 27, 2014, I started instructing a Line Dance Fitness Class at Austin Peay State University (APSU). Now starting in September 2014 will be instructing an Absolute Beginner Line Dance Class also at APSU.

Paul continues enjoying the life of a retiree. He has become a great house/personal manager for us.

Also living in the same city with my only blood sister has been an added bonus and blessing. We have gotten closer than ever and support each other in all endeavors. Plus Pop has a one stop place to see both kids and has actually been spending more time in Clarksville when he does visit.

We could not be happier in our home and continue to make additional improvements in back yard to add more living space. We have also added a Garden and fruit trees to complete the back yard.  

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

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

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

Yahoo!

New Beginnings

Yahoo!

Nearly 11 months ago, Paul and I made the decision that it was best for us and family to relocate to Clarksville, TN. After much discussion and mental anguish, I approached my boss to request a transfer and was rewarded with the knowledge that she was not about to lose me to another State or office. So with the security of being employed remotely, we put the house on the market, thinking we might have to leave and deal with a long distance sale. Fortunately, that was not the case and the Florida house sold in two days.

So with a month to pack, deciding what went with us in our two vehicles and what would be placed in storage, our path was clear to make the final move to Tennessee. We had purchased the Little Condo on the Bluff a couple of years prior as our getaway location and now it would be our new home.

The Condo is a great little house, quiet and peaceful but the goal of moving to Tennessee was to eventually convince Dad it was time to retire and that we wanted him to live with us. Dad is the only surviving parent that my sister, Paul and I have and it is our goal to ensure he takes care of himself. So even though we loved living in the condo, it was not going to be our ultimate location.

After spending months roaming Montgomery County, we looked at multiple re-sells but no matter what we liked it was going to take thousands to make it suitable for ourselves. Our wonderful realtor passed on a link regarding a new subdivision approximately 3 miles from the condo. After touring the spec. homes in the community we found the perfect model. It had a Dad Suite and a bonus room that we could convert into 2 man caves. Plus starting from the ground up we could make all the modifications that we wanted from the start.

So after 5 months, we are now in the Orchard Hills house. We have spent the week moving, unpacking and purchasing to our bodies and credit card are totally exhausted. We are now awaiting the delivery of the Florida Storage and few items that we had to order to arrive. The Dad Suite is nearly complete and now the real work of convincing the Old Missouri Mule to think about retiring will begin in earnest.

Clarksville has become our new home town and we could not be happier. A new home, new neighborhood and starting Monday September 10^th; Larry B resurfaces with an International Line Dance class at the Clarksville Athletic Club. It is always stressful starting out on a new beginning but having family and support from friends it has been a great adventure. Granted it is one we do not plan to do again, Clarksville is the final stomping ground.

Till next time, LB.

Corporate America Got to Love It—Not

Now don’t get me wrong Corporate America has been very good to me over the past 21 years. I just have moments that I want to tell a few corporate honchos to find the nearest cliff and jump. Better yet, let me give them a slight nudge.

They tend to forget that the people working the local areas are still human beings. We are treated as autotrons that have no feelings or emotions. They only care about the bottom $ or the magic number for that particular month. That is when I want to simply rebel but then I have to remember after all these years, what would I do or where would I go.  Yes, they have me as well as a lot of other by the short hairs.

I am back in the Midwest where things move a little slower than when I lived in South Florida. People here are more laid back and easy going. Everyone waves as you pass and it is with more than one finger… Now I don’t know how the corporations behave up here but people in general just seem to have less stress.

I wish I could figure it out or tap into how they do it. I am sure there is a lot of stress but it just does not seem to be on the surface.  I work remotely at this time and I still feel the stress and pressure of what my local office goes through each month. Paul has even gotten to the point of finding ways to disappear the last two days of the month due to my stress level.

Yes, Corporate America has been good to me and good for the country for the most part. It just seems to me that they forget that what has made them great are those of us in the trenches doing the hands on work for the customers.  It comes down to just how big is too big, how much money is too much and would it really hurt their stock holders to not get a dividend one year.  Sure they offer great benefits and good salaries to the staff.  Yet what I see is staff has to work harder each month to accommodate the goal set by Corporate.  They have to work twice as hard to take well deserved time off but still make the same quota or be considered not a team player.

I am planning a few days to take care of my father after surgery but I am stressing over leaving my fellow co-workers to deal with my portion of the load.  I know that the time has come and gone, never to reappear in my life time; when we were able to stay with a company 30 years and feel that we were part of something great.  Oh well, see you Monday for another fun filled week, and oh joy its end of month AGAIN.

See you in April, Paul… 

 Till next time LB

The One Thing That is Guaranteed

I am a weather watcher and just being outside watching the clouds is such a relaxing and invigorating thing for me mentally.

As everyone knows 99% of the year, it is hot, humid and Sunny especially in South Florida. When I lived in Florida, I was a walking dripping sweat machine. I could not walk out of my house without a handkerchief in my pocket to wipe my head dry every few minutes.   I was constantly in a state of wetness from my over productive sweat glands.  I really don’t care for constant hot weather and yet I lived there for over 20 years. Go Figure...

It has been nearly 90 days since we relocated to Clarksville, Tennessee from South Florida.   I can say it is heaven for me here in Tennessee. Of course, moving here during the fall and winter months was the right time to do it. I have yet to walk out of my house and immediately break out in a sweat. I have not had to use my collection of handkerchiefs since arriving.  What a pleasure to walk around outside and not be dripping sweat.

I grew up in the Midwest and it is a pleasure to be back in the area where Season changes can be seen and felt. Not like in South Florida where if you did not have a calendar you would not know whether it was summer or winter.  

Just this week as Paul and I were out walking the dogs as usual I was watching the clouds because we were expecting a quick change in weather.  We started the week in the 20’s with a dusting of snow to nearly 70 and tornados/thunderstorms.  I remembered something my grandmother would say to us kids when we complained about something-“the only thing that is guaranteed in life was that the weather will change”.  Here in Tennessee that can mean AM versus PM weather. The Midwest has not changed much since my childhood and I can honestly say I could not be happier.