Spectacular Saturday

I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible.
~Oprah Winfrey.
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It was a very long day. I’m talking mikes long. It started out when I picked up Matt from the airport. His flight was delayed, then road construction, we didn’t get hone till almost 1 am. I stayed up packing more boxes till almost 5. Then up at 7:15 to wait for the movers.

I will summarize…they were amazing.

Matt was up early unhooking tv’s and pacing more boxes. Matt was amazing!

Lynne, Karen and Linda Grossman each stopped by for a visit. Can you say girlfriends? They came to wish me well and brighten my spirits.

I have the bestest friends in the world. Lynne brought pizzas and Linda brought my favorite beverage. Matt and I enjoyed the pizza, and I christened “the goose. ‘

Matt and I stopped back at the old house to pick up some things. Look what was waiting for me on the bathroom counter.

I am so exhausted now. that I’ve actually nodded off several times while writing this. Time to finish my drink and get to bed. Tomorrow I will get up early to go to church and thank God for HISang blessings. Miles to go before I rest
Bye! See y ‘a ll later.

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Friday Friends and More Birthdays

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.”
― Larry Lorenzoni
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The nice thing about having so many friends is that you get to celebrate your birthday at least a dozen times a year. This year, I was in Chicago and was able to celebrate my birthday with my mom and her lady friends and my sister in the morning. Then, I took the train downtown and celebrated with my sons. Another day, I celebrated with my old bowling buddies. This Wednesday, I celebrated with the TOTS, my artist girlfriends. Thursday was lunch with my Zumba friends. Today, my friends at Towne Creek, the YAH-YAHs, Young At Heart senior artist gave me a surprise birthday party, with tons of food, cake, fruit, snacks, flowers and presents. I am one lucky gal.

The TOTS…Table Of Talent Sisters.

Zumba buddies. A fun lunch at Bien Salsa on the Square.

The Young At Heart Artists. Thanks Miss Krys for all your hard work and teaching and sharing while I was gone.

Every year I say, “This is the best birthday ever,” and it’s true. Every year I have more and more friends to celebrate with.

I’m not getting older, I’m just getting to celebrate more!

Tuesday Tips and Late Night Painting Projects

“I love the silent hour of night, for blissful dreams may then arise, revealing to my charmed sight what may not bless my waking eyes.”
― Anne Brontë, Best Poems of the Brontë Sisters
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“Do not put off till tomorrow what you can put off till today, or the night before you leave.” Here’s a tip. When you’re visiting your mom for three weeks, try not to procrastinate. I promised my mother that we would do some glass painting during my visit. We did some watercolor, pastel chalk projects and played with a bunch of crafts, but I totally forgot the glass painting.

On my last night there, I started packing a few things and was scouting out the nooks and crannies to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind. There on the floor were all the clear glass vases that she had been saving and a few more that we bought at the dollar store. Yikes! I forgot. So, at 10:30 pm, we gathered all the paints and vases on the table. Mom was tired and it was late, so she just assisted me with prepping, shuffling and moral support. Mom is my biggest fan. She kept saying, “You are wonderful!” I always reply, “The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Late night glass painting project. BEFORE…

I spent two or three hours painting. Mom scooted her chair close by and moved the vase after each step and handed me the next. It was a well oiled assembly line. We let them dry over night.

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I finished eight vases, four with bluebonnets and four with lavender. Cute, huh?

In the morning, I popped them in a cold oven and baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool without opening for at least three or four hours. Voila!!! Last minute, late night, guilt ridden, procrastination glass painting project.

Hey! What’s cookin’ good lookin’? Not cookies or brownies…glass vases. Now, Mom has some gorgeous vases to give her lady friends as a gift for a birthday or celebration. MY WORK HERE IS DONE!

Montage Monday: Home and Home Again

“Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.”
― Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road
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I went back home and loved it again for all new reasons. Visiting with old friends brings back old memories, but also new stories and new memories were made. My sons took me to some new places, and we trampled through the new fallen snow. I met several new people and created some new art projects. Each new day is different from the last, and each visit back home is different, yes, even better than the last.

I’m back in Texas, but unfortunately, I brought the cold weather back with me. Do you think it snuck into my suitcase? Maybe! I was home, now home again.

Sing a Song of Sunday: Leaving on a Jet Plane

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – Fitzhugh Mullan
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I hate to travel! If you know me or have read my blog, you know this. Today, I bade a final farewell to the frigid Chicago temps and headed back to temperate Texas. (Did I just say, bade farewell? Is that even a word.)

My sister was kind enough to brave the cold to take me to the madhouse that is O’Hare Airport. We left three hours before the flight, just in case. No traffic on Sunday, so we got there quickly. There was no long line at security, I was sent through that short, don’t take off your shoes line, and I walked over to F14. Easy-peasy! With plenty of time to spare, I did a little people watching, did a some writing, and checked my email. Smooth!

With about forty-five minutes to go, I decided to take a little stroll. Boy, am I glad I did. I went over to that white board that had the flight info on it. Cleaveland? I wasn’t going to Cleaveland. Yikes! I scurried down the corridor to the arrival/departure board. The Dallas flight was changed to E2. Why didn’t they tell me. Don’t they know I hate to travel, much less a change in my travel plans? I hate change! So much for smooth. (It wasn’t that bad.)

We started boarding a few minutes later. I was paranoid that my cell phone boarding pass scanner thingy wasn’t going to work and they would send me to security or Siberia or something. It worked fine. I was even able to shove my luggage in the overhead compartment without whacking anyone in the head. All was well, so I decided that this was the perfect time to break into song. Not really. But, I did Google the perfect song that would capture the moment. I’m into capturing the moment.

Leaving the friendly frozen confines of Chicago.

Welcome to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
My friends Karen and Lynne picked me up at the airport, and were waiting for me at baggage claim. We stopped at On the Boarder for dinner, and because I wasn’t driving, I had a tall frosty margarita. Woo-hoo! I am so grateful for family and friends who are always there to ease my travel traumas.

I’m celebrating the journey, pot holes and all. Life is good!

Sacrosanct Saturday: Family, Friends, and Fish?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Chinese Proverb

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The sacrosanct time spent with my friends and family these past three weeks has been wonderful. The Chicago weather has ranged from frigid to unbearable, but not for this Texas gal. The warmth and love I’ve experienced has negated any cold temperature, and has given me the spiritual and emotional boost that will help me get through the tough times ahead. But alas, I go back to Texas tomorrow. I’m excited to see my dear friends and get back to my activities. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could have both? Wherever I am, I miss who I must leave behind.

I was familiar with the word “sacrosanct,” but very rarely had a chance to use it. So, what better place than right here to share a fun vocabulary word…

sacrosanct
sac·ro·sanct\ˈsa-krō-ˌsaŋ(k)t\
adjective
: too important and respected to be changed, criticized, etc.
Full Definition
1 : most sacred or holy : inviolable
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation
sac·ro·sanc·ti·ty \ˌsa-krō-ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē\ noun
Examples
the teacher’s book of grades is sacrosanct, and someone could be expelled for changing anything in it
believers eventually built a chapel on the sacrosanct spot where the miracle was thought to have taken place
Origin: Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite.
First use: 1601
Synonyms: hallowed, holy, inviolable, sacred, unassailable, untouchable
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On my last full day with Mom and her lady friends at The Greens, we had our last little arts and crafts lesson. We’ve been making beautiful notecards, and now that they each have several different examples, I’m sure they will be making more cards on their own. Mom has all the stencils, chalks, pencils and cards to share, and she is an excellent teacher in her own right. I’m glad I taught them to fish instead of giving them a fish. I have a feeling that I’ll be receiving some lovely handmade cards in the future.

Friday Fulminations, Frustrations and Lemonade

“I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade…and try to find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.”
-Ron White
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You know what is really frustrating? Well, I’ll tell you! My sister has a new Toyota Prius that she bought this summer that has given her nothing but troubles and headaches. Today was the fourth time she had to call the roadside service to come out and jump the battery. This morning, we had planned to go shopping, have lunch and take Mom to a movie. But, NOOOOO!!!!! Her car wouldn’t start. She spent hours waiting the service man. This was the fourth time in as many months that the car wouldn’t start. Granted its cold here in Chicago, but this has happened on beautiful days.

A couple of weeks ago, she even left the car at the dealership over the weekend, they installed a trickle charger, and said this would take care of the problem. But, NOOOOO!!!!! What’s the sense of having a shiny new car, the car of your dreams, if it turns out to be more like a daily nightmare?

I especially feel bad because when I was here visiting this summer, I told her, “You’ve been talking about a new car for years. Grab your check book and let’s go buy a new car today.” And we did.
She was happy as a lark…that is, until a few weeks later when the car wouldn’t start. Every day was spent saying two Our Father’s and Two Hail Mary’s on the way to the garage.

After today’s long wait and much frustration, she picked me up and we went to the bank. She sat in the car, while I went inside. We went to Office Max. She went in and I sat in the car. We went through the drive-in window at Burger King and ate lunch inside the car. We went to the grocery store. I went in and she sat in the car. WE WERE AFRAID TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE! All the prayers in the world couldn’t help this problem.

I went with her to the Toyota dealership at 5pm, where they offered her a loaner car and they gave her the old dog and pony show about, “Gee, this has never happened before.” Now, she asked if she could just do a trade and get rid of the car from H-E- double hockey sticks…(I don’t cuss here.), and end the nightmare. Well, of course she could, but it would cost her an additional $5,000 out-of-pocket to get a less expensive, non-hybrid car.

Needless to say, the manager is “going to talk to his boss,” and see what he can do, and will call tomorrow. In the meantime, when life gives you lemons, you want to smash it in someone’s face!
Can you say LEMON?????? To be continued….

Theme Song Thursday: Born in Chicago

“There seems to be a different Chicago around every street corner, behind every bar, and within every apartment, two-flat, cottage, or bungalow. City of immigrants or city of heartless plutocrats, say what you will, Chicago almost defies interpretation. In many ways Chicago is like a snake that sheds its skin every thirty years or so and puts on a new coat to conform to a new reality.”
― Dominic A. Pacyga, Chicago: A Biography
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Another blustery winter’s day here in the Chicago area. I was born and raised in Chicago, and you know the old saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Man…we are all pretty strong. Beside being able to survive the brutal winters, Chicago is known for its diverse and colorful ethnic neighborhoods, wonderful restaurants and food, awesome architecture, and a marvelous music. And believe you me, if you live in Chicago, you’re entitled to sing the blues. (Probably because you can turn blue in just a few minutes out on a winter’s night.)
Theme song for today:

BORN IN CHICAGO by Paul Butterfield Blues Band
I was born in Chicago at nineteen and forty-one
I was born in Chicago at nineteen and forty-one
Well, my father told me
“Son, you had better get a gun”

Well, my first friend went down
When I was 17 years old
Well, my first friend went down
When I was 17 years old

Well, there’s one thing I can say about that boy
He gotta go

Well, my second friend went down
When I was 21 years of age
Well, my second friend went down
When I was 21 years of age

Well, there’s one thing I can say about that boy
He gotta pray

Well, now rules are alright
If there’s someone left to play the game
Well, now rules are alright
If there’s someone left to play the game

All my friends are going
And thing’s just don’t seem the same
Oh, thing’s just don’t seem the same, babe

Songwriters
Nicholas George Gravenites

Published by
WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Where There’s a Will…

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
-Mahatma Gandhi
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I’ll be the first to admit, I had to look up the word “indomitable.” I kinda figured out what it meant, but I’m pretty sure that I’ve never used it in a sentence, spoke it out loud or recall hearing anyone use it. Mr. Gandhi has expanded my vocabulary. Now, I will try and use this word often and add it to my extensive repertoire of fancy words like “y’all” and “fixin’ to.” Here’s what I learned…
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indomitable

in·dom·i·ta·ble\in-ˈdä-mə-tə-bəl\
adjective
: impossible to defeat or discourage
Full Definition
: incapable of being subdued : unconquerable
in·dom·i·ta·bil·i·ty \(ˌ)in-ˌdä-mə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
in·dom·i·ta·ble·ness \in-ˈdä-mə-tə-bəl-nəs\ noun
in·dom·i·ta·bly \-blē\ adverb
Examples
an indomitable spirit was needed to endure the rigors of pioneer life
Origin: Late Latin indomitabilis, from Latin in- + domitare to tame — more at daunt.
First use: 1634
Synonyms: bulletproof, impregnable, invincible, insuperable, insurmountable, invulnerable, unbeatable, unconquerable, unstoppable
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Even though the weather in Chicago has been more suited for the abominable snowman, (not to be confused with the indomitable snowman), I have tried to keep up my spirits by teaching painting classes for mom’s friends, shopping, visiting with old friends and a little exercise. ( I even did some indoor jogging. I haven’t jogged in ten years. Now, I know why!) The great thing about the Midwest is, a little thing like five months of frigid temps, shoveling snow, and pelting sleet never deters the INDOMITABLE will of the hearty citizens. (See, I used it in a sentence!) “Where there’s a will… there’s a new word.”

Montage Monday: Family

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.
-Desmond Tutu
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I am blessed with many gifts from God, and my family is the greatest blessing. Being able to spend so much time with my mom, my sons and my sister has been wonderful. Seeing old friends is another gift. They are just like family. Forget that! They are family! Life is good!