Wednesday:) What’s Happenning on the Square Today?

Strolling the Square without a care.

You never know who’s sitting there.

Old friends to chat with, new friends to meet.

Adventures unfold on every street.

~Toni  Armenta Andrukaitis

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The Square in downtown McKinney is always a fun place to be, even on a hot steamy day. I met my friend Zelda for lunch at Mellow Mushroom. They have wonderful pizza. The crust is made with molasses, so it has a sweet nutty whole wheat kind of taste. Our waiter, Robert, was a sweet young man who likes to chat. We found out all about his life, hopes, dreams, etc., in the span of about ten minutes. 

This is Robert. Cool dude. Ask for him if you pop in for lunch.

Zelda and I are pretty mellow, too. We had a great lunch and stroll around the Square.

Miss Gail was busy rearranging inventory and helping customers at Last Call Art Gallery. She doesn’t like her picture taken, but unless you are in witness protection, everyone is fair game with my camera. It really is an awesome gallery right on thenSquare, with dozens of local artists displaying work. Heck, most of them are good friends of mine. Stop by and give thenpm a visit. Tell them Toni sent you. On second thought, they might throw you out. Just kidding. They love me.

Dana and Judy preparing for jewelry making workshops in the back. They are laughing because I said, “Pretend to look busy.” Actually, they were busy until I interrupted them. 

Zelda found something cute at Kitchenwares On The Square. This is Kris who manages the shop. We talked about the wonderful infused olive oils that they sell. 

I always stop at Sweet Spot bakery. Always something yummy cookin’ there.

On my way out, one of the ladies that was seated at a table with some friends stood up and said, “Toni?” Oh my. It was Dena Hill. I’ve known her for years, but hadn’t seen her in a while. So, naturally, I crashed their meeting and had fun talking with her friends.

Dena, Kelly and Melanie. Three very talented and creative women. I think we’ll have to become Facebook friends!

I scurried home to get some brownies in the oven. I have a very good friend celebrating a birthday today. (Had to make my signature funny face)

Happy Birthday Michael Murphy. Your doorbell will be ringing in a few minutes.

Tuesday:) Today’s Amazing Slideshow Presentation Brought to You by GOD!

“The sky is a blank canvas, and God is the artist.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Just when I think I don’t have anything to write about or to share, I go for a walk and there it is. The beauty of the sky always takes my breath away. All these photos were taken this evening in my neighborhood between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Another amazing slideshow presentation brought to you by God. 



Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

The weeks fly by in the Summer haze

With steamy dawns and warm liquid days

Then friends will gather to cheer and toast

For these are the times we cherish most.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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An original poem for some wonderful original memories of this past week. Good friends, fine wine, sweet treats, and all pure love. 

A week in a peek…

Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff:) Toot Toot

“If you toot your own horn all the time, people tend to look the other way. If many trumpets sound as you humbly enter the room, everyone stops to honor you.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“Nothing of real worth can ever be bought. Love, friendship, honour, valour, respect. All these things have to be earned.” 

― David Gemmell

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A warm summer Texas day, but it’s always nice to start off with hugging my friend Mary at St. Gabriel before we greet at 9 o’clock Mass, then  greeting everyone with a smile as they enter.

Today’s Gospel was about Jesus telling the parable of the visitor at a wedding feast. You should not take a place of honor nearest the host, as he may have that place reserved for someone else, and you will be emarrassed when asked to move. If you are humble, and sit with the common folk at the far end of the table, you will be honored if you are asked to come to sit nearer the host.

Luke 14

“For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,

but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

My take on it… “If you toot your own horn all the time, people tend to look the other way. If many trumpets sound as you humbly enter the room, everyone stops to honor you.” Wow! That’s pretty profound! Did I just say that? The moral of the story…don’t toot your own horn.
After Mass, I stopped to have an iced tea with Mr. Jerry. Then, off to Sprouts, oh no, dark chocolate almonds on sale $4.99 a lb and avocados 2 for $1. About half a pound of the almonds were consumed on the way home. We wouldn’t want them to melt, would we?

After I changed, I walked over to Mr. Mike’s and I took Bella for a quick walk in the park, dropped her off, then walked to the far side of the subdivision. Mr. Larry and Miss Sandy were sitting in the garage and said, “Where ya been? We’ve been waiting for ya.” I strolled over to their fridge and grabbed a Pepsi and sat down. I told them I wasn’t  having a beer this time. Last Sunday, I zigzagged all the way home.

My son Joe called and we had a nice long Sunday chat, so all is good in my world. Now, to figure out what to have for dinner. Either chocolate almonds or something with avocado, or maybe both.

 Hope you are having a great Sunday. 

Saturday:) Sometimes All Your Ducks Are In A Row

I have come so very far, and yet still so far to go.

But, I’m happy that today, all my ducks are in a row.

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My morning walk by the pond made me smile with all the ducks in a row. If you’re looking for a sign, this is it! Get your ducks in a row, girl! Funny!

Friday:) Friends Don’t Let Friends Eat Cupcakes Alone

“I’ve never met a problem a proper cupcake couldn’t fix.” ― Sarah Ockler

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You know when I bake, I really bake. When I had my anniversary celebration on Tuesday, I baked around 140 mini cupcakes and about 60 brownies. 

Needless to say, there were leftovers. Everyone was requested to take some home, and many did. But alas, there were still a few left. I took some to my Wednesday support group at church, dropped some off at Diane’s, some over to Ms. Sandy’s, and shared some with Adam, the AT&T technician. I was switching my home phone to a wireless to get a discount. They failed to mention that they gave me a new number. I didn’t know that till I called my sister, and hercaller ID came up with a weird number. More calls to AT&T. The whole point was to keep my old number of 12 years. Duh!

This is Adam.

Still cupcakes left over. Thursday, the Direct TV technicians came to install the dish. Nothing says thank you like cupcakes and a Dr. Pepper. 

This is Jeremy. He and Nicole enjoyed a few cupcakes. AND, before he left, I asked him if he knew anything about cell phones because half an hour before he arrived, my iPhone went dead, blank, nada. He said he’d take a look. He clicked a few times, nothing. Then he said, “Hmm…I’ll try this reset.” He held the center and top button for ten seconds and that reset it and brought it back to life. Thanks Jeremy! I thought I’d have to go to the AT&T store or worse yet, get a new phone. 

Then, I took a dozen to my other support group on Thursday, and the rest to the neighbor’s next door. FINALLY! All the cupcakes and brownies are gone. Gone and appreciated. Yay!

Theme SongThursday:)The Party’s Over

I always think the opening moments of a party are the hardest, before everyone has had enough to drink.” 

― Stephanie Clifford

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“I always think the closing moments of a party are the hardest, when everyone has gone and there’s still more food and wine. Come on back tomorrow!”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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After my wonderful open house warming two year celebration on Tuesday, I’m still cleaning up the aftermath. More cupcakes and brownies needed to be dispersed, and wine glasses washed and party things put away. That’s always the sad part. Makes me want to have another party so I don’t have to figure out what to do with everything.

Today, I shared the rest of the food and sweets, hand washed all my fancy hand painted wine glasses and finished putting things away. I was too tired and lazy to do it yesterday. I’m old, I took a nap. This was the sad part of party after glow, cleaning up today.

Wednesday:) What A Wonderful Celebration!!!

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

~Oprah Winfrey

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Yesterday, I contacted my two year anniversary in my new house, and my new life, with my new friends, and my old dear friends. There is just one word to describe the event…AWESOME!!!!

I’ll just let the pictures do my talking. So many good friends!

I received many gifts and cards of congratulations and support. The very best part was all the hugs and kisses. You can never get too many hugs and kisses!

Tuesday:) Two Year Anniversary and Celebration

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. So today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
—Dalai Lama

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Today has been a long time coming. Two years ago today, I moved into my new house. August 23, 2014. It just so happened to be the same day as what would have been my 39th wedding anniversary. Instead, I was officially divorced three days before that. Last year was one year in my new house. I celebrated alone with champagne and a sad heart.

This year, I’m going to celebrate with new neighbor’s, old friends and many people who love me. That makes it a special celebration. Two years in a new home, a new life, and a new chapter each year. I have been so blessed. 

I’ve been baking and cooking and shopping. It’s going to be a wonderful party. Pictures tomorrow, if I’m not hung over. Friends don’t let friends drink alone.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

“My camera is my voice when mere words are not enough,”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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It was another colorful week. From online doggie dating to glorious sunsets, the view from my camera is constant and clear. Family, friendship, and faith. These are the three things that get you through the day with a smile.