Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom and a Wiggly Worm

“If the early bird catches the worm, I’m going to stay in bed till noon, drink a nice cup of tea, have lunch, watch “Jeopardy” on TV, then go out later when the worms are all gone.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I just realized today that I’m not really afraid of worms, I just don’t like that they are all wiggly and slimy and helpless. When I was a younger lady, and was coerced into going fishing, I refused to put the worm on the hook. Yuk!

It didn’t occur to me until today why that was. Who could possibly be afraid of a worm? We are so much bigger than them. They don’t bite, or spit, or call you names, or insult your mamma.

Worms are helpless. They don’t have feet or paws to run away. They are at your mercy. I could never grab the poor thing, alive and all helpless and wiggly, then pierce his poor little body with that sharp hook. Then, if that isn’t torture enough, you throw him, weighted down, into the water, to wriggle and drown, unless of course, a big old wide mouth bass comes and gobbles him up first. (Don’t even get me started on that poor fish!)

When I go for my daily walks, sometimes I see a helpless worm slithering and writhing desperately on the scorching hot sidewalk. He gets nowhere fast. I used to search for a nearby leaf or twig to rescue Mr. Worm from its imminent doom. Now, I just say to myself, “What the heck. Just pick up the poor thing and place him in the cool grass. He won’t bite. Wash your hands when you get home. What if you were that worm. Wouldn’t you like to be rescued?” (When I talk to myself, it’s usually a long conversation.)

It was pretty hot this morning, but it was also designated watering day, which means sometimes the worms slither out to escape the soaking grass sprinklers and end up on the scalding pavement or sidewalk. Then, they can’t get back to safety.

Not only am I the animal whisperer of McKinney, but also the worm rescuer. I rescued several worms today. Nope! Didn’t think twice. Just picked up those darn wiggly worms and placed them gently in the grass. I think this poor little guy said, “Thank you, Miss Toni!” In worm language, of course.” You’re welcome! “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Well, I bet you’re going to think twice about being afraid of a little worm next time. NOW SNAKES!!!! That’s a different story!!!!! BE AFRAID!!!!

Tuesday:) Toni’s Talking Power Cleaning

“The good thing about my obsessive compulsive cleaning disorder is that it only hits me during months that start with M. Thank goodness it’s almost June.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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They always say if you want to keep your house clean, you should invite guests over or have a party. In May, I had a Cinco de Mayo party, and last Friday, I had some friends over for Black Russian Friday. Thus, I was inspired to tidy up the house, but not serious cleaning. I justified it by telling myself that the floors and kitchen were just going to get dirty with company, so don’t get carried away.

This morning, I went to Zumba class at 8:30, then rode the bike for 5 miles. I came home and went for a walk… very hot at 11. I was energized. Mr. Bob, the handy man, was coming over this afternoon to install a new light fixture where an old broken one was removed, loose wires precariously dangling from the ceiling. While I was stranded at home waiting for him this afternoon, I decided to vacuum and wash the floors. It’s been weeks, maybe months. First I swept all the floors with the broom, then vacuumed same floors, then all the carpets and area rugs. Oh, while I’m here, I should get out the duster and dust all the baseboards, above the doors and sills, and those pesky dusty blinds. Pledge the table and chairs. You know how that goes. One thing leads to another.

Mr. Bob arrived precisely at 2:30. He’s always prompt. While he was sawing and wiring and climbing up and down the ladder, I continued my power cleaning frenzy in the family room and in the kitchen.

I moved out all of the chairs and mopped the floor, wiped down the counters, oh while I’m here, look at the smudges on these cabinets, oh, the stove has spills…and it went on and on.

Mr. Bob installed the light fixture in less than half an hour. He’s fast, and NO, I’m not sharing his number because then he’ll be too busy when I need him.

Before and after…

After Mr. Bob left, I continued on into the bathrooms, mopping floors, cleaning toilets and mirrors. Oh, the master bath has a tub that I never use, so I got the nozzle from the vacuum and vacuumed the tub. Yep, the tub.

Finally, the entire lower level is spotless. I’m exhausted. The upstairs will have to wait till March, the next cleaning month that starts with an M.

After I got my second wind, I made some brownie bites that will be frozen, then dipped in chocolate Friday.

Around 7:45 pm, there was just enough time to squeeze in a long evening walk, cooler with the sun setting, and always a stunning sight to see.

Montage Monday and Memorial Day Memories

A week in a peek… friends, flying flags, sunsets, remembering heroes, and savoring special moments and memories.

Thank you to all who have sacrificed so much. Fathers, sons, brothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.

Elijah Armenta

Sunday Sermon and Some Other Stuff

“If God hadn’t rested on Sunday, He would have had time to finish the world.”

~Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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Last Sunday rain. This Sunday extreme heat. My car registered 98 degrees this afternoon. Yikes! But, Sunday is always a happy day for me. Greeting at the door before Mass, I must have gotten a couple of dozen hugs and twice as many handshakes. Today was The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

I always like this Sunday because it reminds me of Mom. She was born on Trinity Sunday, thus she was named and baptized Trinidad. So, today I thought of Mom. Miss you Mom!

The Gospel was Jesus telling the disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations, and that He will will be with them till the end of the age.

Gospel

MT 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

Then Jesus approached and said to them,

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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Father recognized our military and veterans today and had them all stand for recognition and a special prayer.

After Mass, I stopped for coffee with Mr. Jerry, (a veteran) as per our tradition. Then, I stopped at the store, then home to walk the dog. She thought it was too hot, too.

Later in the afternoon, I went to Olive Garden with Miss Zelda and ate too much, of course. So, good! Then we went to El Rancho Mexican Store for pan dulce. Talk about tempting.

My son called around 6 and asked if I’d like to FaceTime with the baby. Well, of course. We had a nice long conversation in baby talk… the best kind.

Now, it’s too hot to do anything. So, I may walk later or maybe not. I hope you’re having a good day and a blessed Memorial Day Weekend, Happy Sunday Y’all!!!

Saturday:) Saying Goodbye Can Be Beautiful

“The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye…until we meet again”

― Jimi Hendrix

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You usually think of saying goodbye as being a sad thing. I’ve had more than my fair share of those sad and painful goodbyes. That’s why I like to share some of my happy beautiful moments with you.

This beautiful face makes saying goodbye an absolute joy. These precious ramblings will be imprinted in my heart forever.

Friday:) Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Alone

“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.”

~Benjamin Franklin

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I have been blessed with the most remarkable friends. A few people from my karaoke single mingle group were kind enough to join tonight me for Black Russian Friday. They always see my Facebook posts on Friday nights drinking alone, so they asked when they could join me for a libation or two. Tonight was the night.

 

Jerry was the first to arrive. I always like to take a picture of my first guest.

You may not be able to see, but his shirt has tiny martini glasses on it. He is a martini guy, but sacrificed this one Friday night for a Black Russian.

It was a fun evening with great conversation, funny stories and great friendship. Yep! I have the greatest friends.

I have a feeling that my fire station will be receiving some goodies in the morning. Thanks Jerry, Sandy, Bob, Loretta, and Pat for stopping by. Miss Pat, the cookies were awesome, as usual. Thanks. Love you guys.

Theme Song Thursday:) In The Eye of the Beholder

“People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.”

~Salma Hayek

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I find myself seeing the most beautiful things in the most common and ordinary sites.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

On my morning walk, I saw a decomposing flower that had fallen off a nearby bush, lying on the steamy sidewalk. The moisture of the flower and the heat of the day created a watercolor image on the grey sidewalk backdrop. It was so beautiful, I needed to stop and take a picture. A perfect oval halo creating a natural masterpiece.

What do you see? Where do you find beauty? It’s all… in the eye of the beholder. Go out and behold!

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom… “Squeeze the Day”

“Life is like a tube of toothpaste. Just when you think you’ve squeezed every single tiny last drop out, you surprise yourself and get a little more.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I was thinking about this analogy this morning. Last week, I was just about ready to throw out my old tube of toothpaste. It was looking pretty empty. I started from the end and rolled it up, getting another tiny bit. Every morning and every evening for over a week, I rolled and squeezed and this morning, there was still a dab left.

And you know what? I think I can still squeeze few more dabs out of this old tube.

That’s my analogy on life. Keep squeezing all you can out of life. There’s a few more dabs left. Don’t give up. “Squeeze the Day… Carpe Diem.”

Tuesday:) Toni’s Movie Review: BOOK CLUB

“Since our society equates happiness with youth, we often assume that sorrow, quiet desperation, and hopelessness go hand in hand with getting older. They don’t. Emotional pain or numbness are symptoms of living the wrong life, not a long life.”

~Martha Beck

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I decided last minute to go and check out the movie, “Book Club.” I went by myself and just assumed the theatre would be empty. It usually is during the week at 2 pm. Today, there was a long line, and it looked like everyone was going to see that movie. I was also surprised that there were a lot of men in the audience.

Diane Keaton (Diane) is a straight laced recent widow whose daughters treat her like an ancient old lady.

Jane Fonda (Vivian) is a free-spirited, no-strings attached, never married wealthy maven.

Candace Bergen (Sharon) is a Federal Judge dealing with an old ex-husband who is engaged to a young bimbo, as she struggles with her own self-esteem.

Mary Steenburgen (Carol) is a housewife trying to spice up a boring marriage of 35 years.

The four women started a book club when they were just school girls and continued meeting over the years. When they decide to read “50 Shades of Grey,” the plot thickens. The steamy book changes their outlook and lives. They decide that they aren’t getting older, they’re getting better. And, you’re never too old for love and happiness.

There were a lot of giggles and outright laughter in the audience, even among the male viewers. I thought it was going to be a “chick-flick,” but I think men could learn a lot about how women think by watching this movie.

I especially related to Candace Bergen’s character, watching her Ex acting like an old fool with the younger bimbo girlfriend. She eventually decides that she deserves some happiness, and should get on an on-line dating site and test the waters. She’s older, not dead.

Well, I thought it was going to be a goofy chick flick, but it turned out to be a realistic commentary on real life. It was a funny happy movie about friendship, aging, love, dreams, and possibilities.

I would recommend “Book Club.” I’m not sure about a younger audience. But, I think 30-40 and older will really like it and can relate.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.

~Douglas Adams

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This was a great week for honoring men and women in service to their community and others. I like to think if we support our local community and city with time, integrity and service to others, we would have a much better world. One little town at a time.