This is the start of something new.

Join me with a cup of coffee as I learn how to blog. Since this is my first time at this and know nothing about what I am doing, this site may change many times before I am satisified. I have learned things on the computer by trial and error and so it will be the same with this. They say that in order to keep old Al Ziemers away you need to keep your mind active so I hope this helps.

I am up way too early this morning because I had been lying in bed, wide awake at 4:30 and not able to get back to sleep because writing a blog was running rampant in my mind. When that happens, does that mean I better do what I am thinking about? So here I am. I am a procrastinator but at my age I may not have time to procrastinate if I want to get something done! What does a person do with so many thoughts running around in your head? I thought maybe if I write them all down those thoughts will finally leave me alone and I can get a good night's sleep. Or maybe I will end up with more and more thoughts to keep me awake? I guess I will find out.

To introduce myself I will tell you a few facts and random thoughts. I am a widow. I am a mother of three and gramma to five. I live in a rented small one bedroom cottage which presents a few challenges that you will probably hear more about. It is a long story as to why I am living here, not my first choice. I have a new hip and need both knees replaced, and my back does not allow me to stand very long or walk very far - all part of my senior life. I must live frugally since I only have Social Security and a little income from some small investments. It is a real challenge to try to live within my income and I am not doing very well with that, especially now that prices keep rising, gas is getting terribly expensive, and groceries cost more each time I go to the store. It is hard not to get depressed with it all, but I keep a smile on my face most of the time.

My name is Lorita. Now lots of people seem to have a hard time pronouncing and/or spelling it. My step-daughter, who is only 4 years younger than me and a schoolteacher, can't seem to get it right even after 22 years. When my husband and I took a bus tour to Tijuana, Mexico, they all knew how to pronounce my name as we wore name tags. But Americans seem to find it difficult. Really? It sounds just like it is spelled. I am not Loretta (like Loretta Young, if you are old enough to know who that is), nor Lor -ritt-ta. It is Lor-reeta. Think Lori, Laurie and Rita put together. A friend spelled it LaRita and I have been very tempted to change it to that as I like that.

I am 69 years old (gasp!). Where did the time go?? My kids are almost 50 (on April 12), 48, and 44. Grandkids range from 28, 27, 19, and 7 year old twins.  They are scattered from coast to coast and the closest ones are 160 miles away. I have been married twice. Divorced after 25 years to the father of my kids, and married to my second husband for 15 years before he passed away from pancreatic cancer 7 years ago. Life has been bumpy to say the least. I have many interests that will come out in my later posts, but for now I think it is time to stop, go have my first cup of coffee and some breakfast, then get on with the rest of my day. I so need to go buy a few groceries and get a refund from an overcharge on the last trip. I may post again later today as I have so many thoughts to write about.