Wednesday, November 2, was my granddaughter, Vanessa’s 24th birthday. She came over to the house after she got off of work at Hickory Hollow www.hickoryhollowbbq.com in Ellenton. On Friday, November 4, I worked at my church’s food bank after going by the cemetery to put some new flowers by Rick’s stone.
On Sunday, November 6, Emma and I attended Sunday school and church where she and other girls in her Sunday school class sang a song during the service. Then, we went out to lunch before visiting with Dad. He was proud to show Emma the new, permanent dentures which he got on October 24th.
I visited Dad on Wednesday, November 9. He is doing so well at Freedom Plaza Memory Care Center. The director told me that he has gained 10 pounds since he moved in.
On Thursday, November 10, Florida greeted Hurricane Nicole. This storm caused much additional damage to the central Florida Atlantic coastline (Daytona Beach area) where both my niece and brother-in-law live. It was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it moved all the way across the state and turned north. Thankfully, we only had to deal with wind and rain. They closed our schools for the day and we all found things to do inside. The rain moved out of the area by Friday afternoon, November 11, when Emma and I went to work at Palm View First Baptist Church’s food bank wishing everyone a happy Veterans’ Day.
Monday, November 14th, was JPs 43rd birthday
Thursday, November 17th, I picked Dad up in the afternoon to attend the Senior Saints dinner meeting. We had roast chicken instead of turkey, along with many of the sides you expect at Thanksgiving including both pumpkin and pecan pie for dessert.
A cold front came through the area during the night leaving it cold, windy and rainy all day on Sunday, November 20. I was surprised when I opened front door to check on the weather and saw a deer in my front yard. (You can click on the picture to enlarge it.)
My husband, Rick Hoffmeister, was born on November 22, 1949. This year he would have been 73. The picture below was taken at a surprise 50th birthday party. Our son, JP, who turned 43 last week, hosted the beginning of the party while Rick and I were out buying a Christmas tree. It never could have been pulled off without JP’s help as well as help from our neighbors, Ann and Curt Mahoney, who lived on the corner. They let everyone park at their house.
My granddaughter, Emma, came over early this morning and asked if we could go to “Popi’s rock” (his marker at the cemetery) to sing Happy Birthday to him. So, we set off this morning to go first to the church for a couple of hours of volunteer work; then to Walmart to buy some new ornaments for my Christmas tree (which will go up on Friday); and then to the cemetery to wish Rick a heavenly happy birthday. After the cemetery, we made a quick stop at Publix to pick up some cupcakes to eat for Rick to continue celebrating his birthday. Then, she helped me make some deviled eggs.
Thursday, November 24th was Thanksgiving. Shown in the picture is me and Dad along with Kellie’s parents and J.P. and the top of Emma’s head. Kellie took the picture.
I started decorating for Christmas on Friday, November 25. It took me about a week to finish.
Emma and I went to Michael’s on Saturday, November 26, to get supplies to make Christmas some Christmas gifts. On the way home we saw this giant blow-up Santa.
We took a Christmas wreath to Dad to decorate his door after church on Sunday, November 27.
On Tuesday, November 29, I went to my doctor for a blood draw then took Dad to his dentist to adjust his dentures.
Our journey has been inspired by Joy and Steve Fredrick. You can see more of their story at