Wednesday:) What Ya Been Up To, Miss Toni?

“Make something special for the ones you love. That Amazon box at the door just can’t say, ‘Look what I made for you!’ ”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I stayed up late last night to paint the letters for the new baby’s room. Everyone was up to bed, so the perfect time to watch the Hallmark Channel and paint pink roses. I finally finished around 1 a.m. They turned out pretty nice. They will go up in the baby’s room when Daddy has a minute to put them up. That might be in June. They have their hands full.

Here’s how they turned out. They should look nice on the pink walls. I’m glad that I had time to make something special for Sophie.

Teamwork Tuesday

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
― Helen Keller
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McKinney Creative Community meets the second Tuesday of each month at SPARC Art School, Art Gallery. SPARC (St. Peter’s Artist Run Community) – SPARC is a new ministry of St. Peter’s in McKinney, Texas. A very diverse group of creative and talented people meet to share ideas, hospitality, and some very good food.

The group has grown in numbers, but also it’s vitality. There’s a special energy you can feel in this room of creative people, all wanting to share their ideas and dreams of making McKinney a flourishing artistic communty.

Today, we discussed how important social media and networking is to any community group. I love sharing all the wonderful things about McKinney and all the beautiful people in this charming city. McKinney Creative Community is a great place to meet artistic, talented souls and become part of a team, “Together we can do much,”

Tuesday: Timeless Friendships

“We are all the same and we are all different. What great friends we will be.”
― Kelly Moran, The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree
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Busy, busy, busy…packing and more packing. My dear friend, Adelina, came over to help me pack more boxes today. We packed for about four hours, before we took a break. If you never heard the story about how we met, it’s very cute.

Gosh, it was four or five years ago. We both walked up to the pharmacy window at Walmart to pick up prescriptions just as they closed for lunch. We both grimaced, mumbled something like, “Well, now we have to shop for an hour,” then started to push our carts down the aisle.

For some reason, I turned to her and said, “You wanna go sit and wait at McDonald’s and get a drink?” She said,”Sure!” We walked over, got a drink, sat at a booth, and ended up talking for hours. We found that we were two totally different people from very different places, but we were exactly the same. We became fast friends, met regularly at that McDonald’s, and the rest is history.

Lina and I have shared a lot of lunches, stories and hugs. She has helped me out quite a few times over the years. We don’t get to see each other often, but when we do, it’s a special visit, a timeless friendship.

Isn’t she cute!

Endless boxes!

Sunday Sermon and the Spiritual Samaritan

“A Spiritual Samaritan lives knowing that if we were to leave this world tomorrow, we were the best humans we could be and we touched the lives of as many souls as possible. We are not asked to be perfect. We are asked to make a difference.”
― Molly Friedenfeld
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Today’s Gospel was the story about Jesus feeding the multitude with only five loaves and two fish. Here’s what I derived from the words. I’m very good at boiling things down into a few words…If you believe, He will provide.

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over—
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.”

After church, I walked three miles, worked on packing up a few more boxes, then realized it was 2:30 pm and all I had to eat was that little communion wafer.(Not so filling) I called my friend, Della, and we had a yummy late lunch at Olive Garden. Then, I drove over to the Art House where my friend Jill Luigs was working on some sewing projects. I had a few bags of fabric to give her. She makes the most amazing projects out of scraps and fabric that is often shared by friends and neighbors.

Jill and I had an in depth conversation about how sometimes our needs and wishes are met when we have faith. I’ve always believed that the more you give, the more you receive. I’ve always tried to share my blessings, my time and my gifts with others.

It’s funny, at Olive Garden, I had a $4 off coupon on two dinners, so Della and I each saved $2. So, I left a 30% tip for our nice waiter. Pay it forward. After my visit with Jill, I had to pick up a few things at Lowe’s. On my way back to my car, I saw a lucky feather near my car. Another sign?

Leaving Lowe’s, there was a young family standing on the corner. A mother, three small children, and a dad holding a sign saying, “I lost my job. Can you help us?” Well, I’ve heard that sometimes these are scams, but you know what, what if they were hungry and thirsty after being out in the sun and heat all day? I am wanting for nothing, and have more than many, I can share my blessing. I pulled over, reached into my purse. I had a bunch of singles, and a twenty. That little voice inside my head said, “You can spare a twenty.” I rolled down my window and handed the man $20. He touched his hand to his heart and said, “Bless you! Bless your family!” I drove away thinking, “Yes, I’m already blessed.”

I’d like to think that if I were to leave this world tomorrow, that I was the best I could be, made a difference, and that I touched the lives of many souls, just like the quote says.

Friday: Feathers Forever

“It’s not enough to have the feathers.

You must dare to fly!”
― Cass van Krah
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It’s Fiday, AGAIN! Time really flies by, doesn’t it? Speaking of flying, I found another lucky feather on my walk the other night. Lucky pennies, lucky feathers, I’ve been finding quite a few lately. Combined with prayers and good thoughts from friends and family, things are looking bright and hopeful. A new house, a new start, a new life. (I’ll have to find a special place for all my lucky feathers.)

“I dare to fly.”

Meaning of Feathers

The Meaning of Feathers plays an important role in the belief system of Native American Indians. Their beliefs are based on Animism which embodies the spiritual idea that all natural things within the universe, including birds, have souls or spirits. Animists believe that souls or spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in birds, their feathers and in animals, plants, rocks and natural phenomena. The doctrine of animism is that everything is alive, and possesses an inherent virtue, power and wisdom.

Theme Song Thursday: “Hello”

“for every goodbye, God also provides a hello”
― Donna Gable Hatch
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I was packing up some dishes this afternoon, when I realized I didn’t have any music playing. I’m suppose to be dancing in the kitchen everyday, right? So, I turned on my ipad and played a little Sinatra, Carole King, and Michael Bublé. While I was scrolling, I ran across a few songs that my son Joe had recorded during his college days. Or, maybe it was earlier, not sure, but I listened to dozens of his songs. It was great just to hear his voice singing just for me. My boys are so far away, and I miss them so much.

Then, I smiled when I heard, “Hello.” I used to have that as his ring tone on my old phone, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it back on my new phone. (iphone challenged) The song made me think about my sons, my family and the things that make me smile. Joe is getting married next year to his lovely fiancé, Lindsay and I can’t wait. I’m so excited.

So, as I pack up my old life and start the next chapter of my old story, a new story will unfold, with new exciting chapters of hope and promise. Not just for them, but for me too.

“Hello, my friend, hello.” I hope all your chapters and stories have a happy ending.

Sensational Surprise Sunday

“HAPPINESS [is] ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED”
― Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild
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Instead of my usual Sunday sermon or silliness, I have something sensational to share. Today is my eldest son’s birthday. He’s a great kid and calls me every Sunday without fail. I knew that he was going on vacation with his lovely girlfriend, Lindsay, this week, so I didn’t expect a call. But, to my surprise, he called me in the afternoon to let me know that he had proposed to Lindsay and they plan to get married. I was sitting at Sweet Spot bakery and got soooo excited and emotional, that I cried like a baby. Poor Miss Kathy came over with napkins and touched my shoulder, as she thought something terrible happened. Isn’t that great!

Now, I am a happy mom who wishes a long and happy future for her son and soon-to-be wife. (I didn’t even say, “Finally!”)

Yes, happiness is only real when shared, so I’m sharing my joy with you. Congratulations Joe and Lindsay!

Two Penny Tuesday

“Here’s the thing about luck…you don’t know if it’s good or bad until you have some perspective.”
― Alice Hoffman, Local Girls
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Perspective, hmmm? It depends on how you choose to look at things. The old, “Is the glass half empty or half full” concept. You have half of a glass of water, be happy you have a glass and some water and move on already! Just kidding. But, you know what I mean.

This morning, I went to the funeral Mass for a friend and neighbor, Beth Hrenak. She was the most delightful, passionate, loving, and giving person you’d ever want to meet. Her time here on earth was too short, but she did so much with her life and left so many special memories with her family and friends. That’s what life is about, I guess. It’s not if your life if half full or half empty, just live it the best you can.

Funerals always get me to thinkin’, not to mention, get me to cryin’. Life can be pretty tough sometimes, but I’ve always felt lucky. There have been some hard times, and some really hard times, but NEVER ONCE did I ever think that I wasn’t lucky. Maybe that’s what keeps me going when I start thinking about that glass being “half empty.” I’m lucky that I’ve got got a glass of water.

I’ve talked about finding my lucky pennies on more than one occasion. I found a lucky penny this afternoon while visiting with my friends at Sweet Spot Bakery, then another when I went out for my evening walk. These pennies tell me that “everything is going to be OK.” I like to think that someone up in heaven is sending me a sign. I’m pretty sure these two pennies were from Miss Beth. It was a two penny Tuesday. Thanks, Miss Beth!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Patience and a Penny

“Patience is power.
Patience is not an absence of action;
rather it is “timing”
it waits on the right time to act,
for the right principles
and in the right way.”
― Fulton J. Sheen
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Patient
adjective
: able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people
: done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying
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Patience is power. No, it’s not a sign of weakness. Sometimes we have to wait a very long time for things to happen, or for that happy ending. Right is might, patience is power, slow and steady wins the race. Wow, that’s a lot of wisdom.

Today, I found a lucky penny on my morning walk. It was right in front of my foot when I stopped to say “see ya later,” to Kat, my walking buddy. It was bright and shiny and waiting just for me. My lucky pennies always say,”Things are going to be OK.” I just have to remember to be patient.
(The picture is a little blurry, but sometimes life is a little blurry, isn’t it?

A Special Mother’s Day Sunday

“As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.”
― Kristin Hannah, Summer Island
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What a beautiful quote. It represents my thoughts exactly. My mother is the sun and the moon! We talk on the phone everyday, and I can’t imagine starting my day without her sweet voice and soft giggles. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

This morning at 9o’clock Mass, there was also a baptism of two baby girls. The entire congregation celebrated the welcoming of these two young souls into the arms of Christianity. I thought of my two sons on their baptismal days. It takes many people to raise a child. I also realized that mothers are more than just women who gave us life. There are all those grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, nurses, doctors, teachers and friends who nurture each child. And believe me, a woman’s heart and love cannot be equalled.

When I got home, I had a missed call from Joe. We played phone tag a couple of times, but then we finally got to talk. I thanked him for the flowers he sent and he thanked me for being a great mom. Later, Matt called and asked if I received his flowers. I hadn’t, but as we spoke the doorbell rang, and there they were. I live for the phone calls, to hear their voices, to share their days.

My sons are far away, but tucked close to my heart every day. Mother’s Day is everyday when you have an amazing mother and are blessed with wonderful children. And today, I have beautiful flowers everywhere to brighten my day.