Saturday:) Sometimes You Wake Up Like…

Every day, I like to wake up and remind myself to be grateful of the simple things.

~ Miranda Kerr

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Every morning, I wake up with a smile on my face, just happy to be alive. My blessings are many. My mind and spirit are very young at heart. 

This is how I feel when I wake up every morning… Life is a beautiful fairy tale.

Then, this is how I actually feel when my feet hit the floor… Reality sets in and the old bones and aches and pains speak out. A young spirit imprisoned in an old body. 

Old age isn’t fun, but it beats the alternative. 

Enjoy each day while you can. 

Friday:) From Sunrise to Sunset

“A sunset will color your dreams.And a sunrise will color your smile.

It’s all God asks.” 

― Anthony T. Hincks

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(A picture’s worth a thousand words. Two pictures tell an entire story.)

To color my smile.

To color my dreams.

Happy Friday…

Thursday:) The Art Club of McKinney

Without poets, without artists, men would soon weary of nature’s monotony.
~ (Guillaume Apollinaire)

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This morning, the Art Club of McKinney met at the Heard Craig Carriage House. We were greeted at the door by the lovely gardens and manicured landscape.

The club meets the third Thursday of each month, August through May. The Art Club of McKinney is the oldest art club in the great state of Texas.

After our initial meeting and minutes, we take a short break for a yummy brunch provided by volunteer members.

After the break, voting on artist of the month, and raffle drawing, a fabulous guest speaker and artists shares an informative demonstration. Today’s guest was the multi-talented award winning, Michael Holter. His demo was an impressionistic oil painting that he guided step by step techniques.

Another great monthly meeting. Friends, artists, learning and sharing.

Wednesday:) Waiting and Wandering and Wasting Time

Nobody likes wasting time, but time isn’t wasted if you are learning, observing, and enjoying the journey.

Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Another wonderful day of waiting at the Social Security Office. I arrived right when they opened at 9am, along with another fifty or more unsuspecting suspects. By the time I got to the kiosk to get my number, there were no more chairs available. So, I found a wall to lean on and I stood, and I stood, and I stood.

During my 2 1/2 hours of standing, shifting, and various yoga positions, I observed and chatted with other wall leaners. Actually, we whispered, because the overzealous security guard kept shushing us and barking orders.

The good news is, it was only a 2 1/2 hour wait and after 3 1/2 hours last week, I’m finally signed up for Medicare. YAY!!!! I’m officially OLD.

Off to celebrate with lunch at the Pantry and visiting friends on the Square. Check this out…

Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes smothered in country gravy, and fried okra. I was in a cholesterol coma of joy. A doggie bag was required.

I stopped at a few shops and visited with some friends.

Sweet Spot Bakery. Miss Kathy knows and prepares Mr. Guy’s order before he even gets up to the counter.

The gals at The Last Gallery.

I love passing by the old-time barber shop, complete with barber pole out front.

It was a good day of wasting time and wandering around the Square.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Talking to Strangers Again

“If I had a dollar for every stranger I talked to, I’d be very rich. Oh wait! I’m all the richer for the many wonderful strangers I’ve met and now call friend.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I went to the store last week to pick up a cake, snacks and the fixings to make Hawaiian salad for for Miss Bonnie’s birthday party at Towne Creek. I went up and down all the aisles and bought a cartload of stuff. I piled all the bags in the bag of the car when I thought, “Crap! I forgot the cool whip.”  That’s the main ingredient formthrnHawaiin salad, I ran back into the store, literally. The ice cream wasn’t going to stay frozen long in the Texas heat. 

Three tubs of Cool Whip in hand, I scurried over to the short order line, and plopped the containers on the belt. When I turned around, there was an older gentleman with a Korean War Veteran cap on. I extended my hand and said, “Thank you for your service!” He said, “Thank you, Mam.”  He set down his one pound bag of ground coffee and shook my hand. 

We made our introductions, and my new friend Norman said that he lives in California, and was visiting his son here in McKinney. It’s funny how you can learn a lot about a person in the three or four minutes you chat while waiting in the grocery store line. 

Of course, I said, “Selfie time.” While we were exchanging the praises of the California weather and the friendly people in McKinney, Norman didn’t notice that I grabbed his coffee and put it on my bill. When I paid for the groceries, I asked  Sherri, the checkout gal,  for a separate bag for the coffee. Norman said, “No, no! That’s mine. You can’t pay for that.” Sherri just smiled and put the coffee in a bag. She thought we were together and that he was my dad or relative, and he  wanted to pay. 

I said, “That’s the least I can do for a veteran. Sherri asked, “That’s not your Dad?” I replied, “No, I just met Norman here in line two minutes ago. He’s a war veteran.” 

You may recall, a couple of weeks ago, a total stranger bought me an ice cream sundae at Braum’s.

 Just “paying it forward.” 

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“Never be so busy as not to think of others.” ― Mother Teresa

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Another wonderful week.  But, then again, when isn’t it wonderful? Well, maybe those wasted 3 1/2 hours sitting at the Social Security Office. A birthday party for a friend, painting, a free concert, won a fabulous raffle prize, karaoke every Thursday, went to court just for fun, friends, and family. That’s what it’s all about.

A week in a peek…

Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff

“Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

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It was a cool Sunday morning, and I was thrilled to wear a sweater. But alas, by the time Mass was over, the Texas sun was beating down and it was warming up fast. As Mary and I greeted at the door before 9 o’clock Mass,  many hugs and handshakes and smiles were exchanged. It was the children’s choir service and there was a baptism. A good start to the day.

Today, Father Don decided to discuss the second reading instead of the Gospel. We are told that if we make our requests to God through prayer and giving thanks, we will receive. The old, ask and ye shall receive story. My take on it…yes, you need to ask for what you want or believe that your dreams can come true, and they will. But, you have to believe with a true heart and work towards your goal with pure passion.

Reading 2 PHIL 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

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After church, I stopped at the store and bought a ton of groceries. Brownie mixes were on sale. Oh, no! You can never have too many boxes of brownies in the pantry. Also, the cowboys were playing today, so if you wear a team jersey, on game day, you get an addiction 10% of your total purchase.

Miss Pat, the “Cookie Lady” from our single mingle group, invited a bunch of us over to her house to watch the Packers/Cowboys game. I didn’t eat all day in anticipation of the feast that I knew she would prepare. I wasn’t disappointed.

It was an interesting game to watch because Miss Pat is from Wisconsin, so she and many of her family are Packers fans, but others are die hard Cowboys fans. This is Texas after all! There was some good humored taunting and flaunting when Dallas was in the lead. Then the mood shifted when the Packers charged ahead.

I guess it was an exciting game, not sure, as I wasn’t  exactly paying attention. I was just there for the fine food, desserts, and comaraderie.

Packers vs Cowboys
Final – Sun, Oct 8, 3:25 PM

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Green Bay Packers(4-1).  35

Dallas Cowboys(2-3)  31

Miss Pat was a happy “Cheddar Head.” She asked for a Packer win, and she got it.