Archive | April, 2016

Friday:)Funny Stuff

29 Apr

“All the most important information can only be found on Facebook or the Internet. My middle name is Google.”

~ Toni Armenta Andruksitis

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Just gonna share some funny stuff from my Facrbook page. My only source of news and communication. 


Okay! This is one of my funny face brownie mixes. Had to share. 


My favorite. 

Theme Song Thursday:) On The Street Where You Live     

29 Apr

To find extraordinary things, go to the ordinary streets!

Mehmet Murat ildan

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I walk every day, sometimes twice a day. I never tire or get bored with my view. You’ll never see me tuned in or plugged into headphones with music. The chirping birds, quacking ducks, and chats with neighbors as I meander the streets, that is music to my ears. The sights and sounds of my neighborhood, these will never bore me. 



This family of ducks totally ignored me. They never stirred even as I took this photo just inches away from them. They said, “Oh, it’s just Toni.” I speak duck…a little Mandarin… Get it? Mandarin duck! Ha ha!


Then, there’s the fine artwork along my way. 


Always a beautiful view. These are the streets where I live. 

Wednesday:) What Do You See?

28 Apr

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.Albert Einstein

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If you are from McKinney, there’s a very good chance you know exactly who this is. If you live in the historic district, you not only know who this is, you’re probably good friends with him. I’m not giving it away, but his handsome handlebar mustache is as funky as his socks and as fun as his bow tie. (Often called Mr.McKinney)



What do you see? Beautiful artwork or sewer covers? I see artwork. 

Tuesday:) Take Time To Smell the Roses

27 Apr

Today, just take time to smell the roses, enjoy those little things about your life, your family, spouse, friends, job. Forget about the thorns -the pains and problems they cause you – and enjoy lifeBernard Kelvin Clive, Your Dreams Will Not Die

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Today was s good day to smell the roses and forget about the thorns. 

Starting with Zumba class, some chores at home, the dentist in the afternoon, yummy lunch with Karen and Miss Eleanor, visit Miss Kathy and Miss Elizabeth at Sweet Spot, a call from the kids, then a short walk before the storm. 

Every day, I try to see the beauty in the little things, and the blessings shared with friends and family. There are thorns. There will always be thorns, but the joy outweighs the pain. 


Wild flowers in the field. How lovely!

Selfie at Sweet Spot with Miss Kathy. 

  


The sun peeking through the trees. 

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

26 Apr

I wanted to figure out why I was so busy, but I couldn’t find the time to do it.~Todd Stocker

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A wonderful week with friends, a birthday party, a retirement celebration, garage sales, walking, Zumba, church, lunches and brunches. If there were any more hours in the day, I’d be exhausted. 

A week in a peek. 

Sunday Sermon and Some Smiling Friends

25 Apr

Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.

Victor Hugo

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Today’s Gospel was as simple, yet as important as any other. My take on it…Just love one another. 

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Gospel JN 13:31-33A, 34-35When Judas had left them, Jesus said,

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

If God is glorified in him,

God will also glorify him in himself,

and God will glorify him at once.

My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.

I give you a new commandment: love one another.

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.”

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My day started with greeting before Mass, having a chance to smile, laugh, and hug a few people. It was a gorgeous morning. My dear friend Bonita and I had coffee at McDonald’s  with Jerry after Mass. Then, she and I went  to brunch at Stareood Cafe, a new restaurant in Adriatica. Very good food, but even better company. 

After brunch, I went home, changed, and went for a long walk. I dropped by with some brownies for My neighbors Larry and Sandy. Mr. Larry kept telling me that I needed to see Sandy’s garden. So, I dropped by unannounced, rang the bell, and said, “Just stopped by to see how does your garden grow.”


It’s good to have friends with a garden. If I  happen to drop by often enough,  I may leave with some home grown vegetables. 


Did I mention a peach and nectarine tree? I’ll be walking past their house daily.

Then, a perfect ending to a fine day, with a long phone call and conversation with both my sons. Life is good!

Saturday:) Someone Special Retiring

24 Apr

Retirement from Job does not mean retirement from life! It is the beginning not an end!” ― Ravi Samuel

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What a gorgeous Saturday here in McKinney! I had the pleasure of attending a retirement celebration for my friend Gilda Garza. Her good friend, Nina, hosted the party in her beautiful backyard in the historic district. Friends and family gathered to celebrate Gilda’s retirement, but also to thank her for her friendship, as well as service to her community serving on the city council, and other local agencies. 


Gilda, standing in the center wearing red, probably isn’t even 5 feet tall, but to her friends and family, her community and her co-workers at Noth Texas Job Corps, she stands ten feet tall, high above the crowd. 


Gilda is a special woman. Born and raised in McKinney, she worked her way through business school, worked nineteen years at the  North Texas Job Corp, and was the first elected Hispanic female Council member in McKinney, TX. 

A fine tribute and celebration for an extraordinary woman. You’ll enjoy retirement, Gilda. It will finally give you a little time for yourself. But, we all know you too well. You’ll be helping others. 

Friday:) Finding True Treasures

22 Apr

For where thy treasure is, there also will thy heart be.” ― Anonymous, Holy Bible: King James Version

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That’s an interesting quote. You need to contemplate on the meaning a while. If you treasure or value only expensive and monetary things, that is where your heart is. Selfish, greedy, heartless and cold. If you can find treasure in a new fallen snow, a warm summer day, a visit with an old friend, a mother’s touch, or a child’s laugh, then that is true treasure.

  
Our neighborhood was having a spring community garage sale. On my morning walk, I stopped at several sales, more to chat than to shop. But, I did find a few treasures.

  
My first stop was the best. I small box with old Golden Books. I commented to the older gentleman seated in the lawn chair that I loved old books. When I looked inside, each book was sign to Eddie. One said “from Momma and Daddy,” and I smiled. His daughter came out,mand I started to talk to her. I showed her the book, and she said, “That’s Eddie over here in the chair.” Eddie told me how he loved reading those books as a child. I told Mr. Eddie that they were going to a good home and I would treasure them, too. 

 
 Here are the other treasure that I found today.
  
 
I spent a total of $6 on all these treasure. Worth a million dollars to me. 

Theme Song Thursday:) Celebrate

22 Apr

Amit Kalantri

“A birth-date is a reminder to celebrate the life as well as to update the life.” 

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Not only was it a beautiful day here in McKinney, but it was a great day to celebrate our friend, Lynda’s, special birthday. 

  
Lynda invited us to her beautiful home in the historic district. I think we spent more time exploring her yard, beautiful gardens, greenhouse, and perfectly decorated historic home.

  
Lynda is an amazing artist, and she has many friends who are fantastic artists in their own right. She specifically asked her friends not to bring any gifts. Being obedient yet benevolent friends, no one followed directions. She received many homemade, handcrafted and creative gifts. Artists have the best birthday parties.

  
Look what Kelly made. A spectacular jeweled gecko. 

We all were in awe of Lynda’s back yard. 

   
   
A great day with great friends. Happy birthday Lynda.

Wednesday:)  Wispy White Fluffy Clouds

21 Apr

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” ― Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds

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With all this rain here in North Texas, we have had our fair share of cloudy days. But, I love clouds. Clouds are an endless palette of glorious grays. A perfect painting in the sky. 

   
    
   
If you can appreciate a cloudy  gloomy day, just think how wonderful a glorious sunny day will be.