Tuesday:) Tomorrow, Toni’s Trilogy Celebration

“We all have life storms, and when we get the rough times and we recover from them, we should celebrate that we got through it. No matter how bad it may seem, there’s always something beautiful that you can find.”

~Mattie Stepanek

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If you read my earlier post on 7/11 about my Trilogy Testimonials, or you know my story, then you remember that tomorrow, August 23rd is the second awful date on the calendar that God transformed from a painful tearful date into a special celebration. August 23, 1975, I married my high school sweetheart, Tony Andrukaitis, in a beautiful church wedding in front of countless friends, family, and God. Thirty-nine years later, after disgusting discoveries, lies, cheating, and a painful divorce, my life and health was in turmoil. Being forced to leave my home and neighbors after ten years, I moved into my beautiful brand new home, to start my brand new life, on August 23rd, 2014. Another “God moment.”

Last year, I had a special anniversary of my new home party. Tomorrow, I will have another anniversary party, and will continue this tradition as long as I live in my beautiful new home.  A reminder of my rescue and blessings. 

I’ve been preparing for many days. Saturday, I went to the store and picked up a LOT of party food, drinks, and snacks. I invited friends and neighbors, and guess what? Most of them are coming. I’m so excited. But, this also means that I need to do a lot of baking, cooking, planning and cleaning. I LOVE IT!

Last year, so many good friends came to celebrate with me, and this year even more are expected.

Here are just some of goodies I purchased for the party.

After posting this blog, I will proceed to bake my little brains out. Tomorrow’s the big day! If you’re in the neighborhood, come on by. There’s always plenty, and plenty to be thankful for. 

Tomorrow night,  I’ll tell you all about it.

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom~ What a Difference a Day Makes

“Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You’ll never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference for another today.” ― Amy Leigh Mercree

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Sunday was Mother’s Day. I went to Mass and stopped at McDonald’s for an iced tea and sat there all alone. I was feeling sorry for myself and all alone, just a little bit. But, as I sat and watched people zip in and out, and cars shimmy by in the drive-through, I counted my blessings. I have two fine sons, a wonderful family, and more wonderful friends than I can count.

When I arrived home, barely putting my key in the front door, when I saw the box of flowers that my son Matt sent, especially to be delivered on Mother’s Day. I brought the box inside and opened it. The waterworks streamed down my face. I cried uncontrollably. I’m still not sure why. They were happy tears, but I just couldn’t stop. A flood of memories and photos of two small boys flashed through my mind in an instant. Kinda like a brain freeze of memories. (Teary eyed)

The flowers still hadn’t opened when I put them in the decorative pink mason jar that came in the box, along with a box of gourmet chocolates. The amazing thing is, hour after hour during the course of the day each iris and lilly opened up just a little bit. By evening, they were about half way  opened. Matt called me and wished me a happy Mother’s Day and we talked a long time. He was talking to his elderly mother, (not really that old) but I was talking to my five year old who just barely out of diapers, and not the grown man in his thirties.

Joe called later and asked if I received their card. I hadn’t, but thanked him in advance. I got to talk to Lindsay, my lovely daughter-in-law, and wished her a happy Mother’s Day, her first. This was my 35th. 

When I woke up Monday morning, the flowers were in full bloom in all there glory. What a difference a day makes. 

When the mail came Monday in the afternoon, there was a beautiful card from Joe, Lindsay and Belle. My sister sent me a beautiful card with a heartfelt message and some cool stamps. What a difference a day makes.

Cheers! I always start each day counting my blessings. Some days I may be a little sad, some days hysterically happy, but EVERY day, there is something to be grateful for. What a difference a day makes.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Tip of the Day~ Be Wise, Be Frugal, Share Your Blessings

” I may be frugal, cut coupons, and shop the sales, but you know what I do with my savings? I share.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“Help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” 

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

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I am the queen of coupons, the sister of sales, the babe of bargains. Do I need to be thrifty? I’m pretty comfortable, but I’ve always appreciated a bargain. Take yesterday for instance. Well, you don’t have to take the day, just the concept. I was out for my morning walk when I heard my cell phone go … “Bing.” No one texts me during the day. I thought great, another solicitor telling me that because I recently stayed at a Marriott Hotel or some casino resort, that I won some kind of prize. Wrong Toni…that’s the EX and his girlfriend. I get those annoying robo calls all the time. I wish there was a person on the other end. I’d give them the right number. 

But this time, it was my McDonald’s app telling me that because the Texas Rangers hit a homerun or something like that, that I could get a free double cheeseburger that day only. Guess what I had for lunch? Yep!

Lunch! A whopping $1.08. Score!

Afterwards, I walked over to Albertson’s…now Tom Thumb and checked out the bargains. Avocados were only 48 cents, yes, really. All kinds of other great bargains. Frosted Flakes, 99 cents for a big box, strawberries 99 cents, and canned corn and diced tomatoes, I think 39 or 49 cents. There were limits on how many you could get, but I took full advantage.

I took some of these to my senior friend Miss Eleanor. She doesn’t get out to the store very often, so when I find a great bargain, I pick up fresh fruit and veggies and stop by for a short visit.

Then, last week when I went over the the Little Free Pantry in front of HUGS on the square to drop some things off, the shelves were pretty bare. So, I stopped over there today with the Frosted  Flakes and a bunch of canned goods. I was happy to see the shelves had a few more items today. I like the motto…Take what you need, leave what you can…

I only spent around $28 at the store, but it was enough for me, and enough to share with a friend and others in need. And besides, I had a free double cheeseburger, so I wasn’t that hungry.

It has been my experience that when you share your blessings with others, you are blessed tenfold. It’s true.

When I walked back to my car, guess what was there waiting for me right next to the driver’s side door! A lucky penny from heaven.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.” ― Suzy Kassem

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From glorious sunshine to trembling thunderstorms, it was an “unpredictable” week of weather, and whether or not. So many choices, so many chances, each day as unpredictable as the next. The storms and tornados that swept around last night were a reminder of life’s little surprises. All is well at my house. But, if you’re reading this, you and I, we’re still here. How grand is that?

A week in a peek. My blessings, buddies, and brownies. Friends, family, and furry companions.

Tuesday:) Truly, The Tiny Things Can Mean So Much

“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

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My mundane days are probably boring and repetitious to you, but for me, they are filled with so many blessings and joys, that I always feel compelled to share. I started out with a a very vigorous Zumba class, killer on my bad knee, but I don’t care, I love my Zumba. After class, I met with my good friend Mary from church. We met at McDonald’s for coffee at 9:30. We see each other every Sunday when we greet before Mass, but she wanted to see how I’m coming along with my annulment paperwork. She is my good friend, but also my advocate. 

While we were talking about everything under the sun, frustration, hurts, pains, joys, and grandchildren, I told her, “You know what gets me through each day? I wake up every morning and say, sometimes to myself or sometimes out loud, thank YOU for your blessings.” I count my blessings every single day. I have a wonderful family and the greatest friends on earth. People have come into my life, and have been put in my path for a reason. Mary is one of those people. We talked until noon, and her husband called and asked if she would be home for lunch. She invited me to join them for leftovers and cookies. How do you say no to that?

Well, you know me and my signs. I parked down the street from her house, had lunch with her husband Pat and her adorable grandson. We all sang the Cookie Monster song, “C is for cookie.” So cute. When I left and walked back to my car, and started to open the door, right beneath my feet was a lucky penny. I had to walk back to show Mary and thank her again for the great day. I’m a lucky gal.

I smiled all the way home, singing my West Side Story song, “Something’s Coming,” and counted my blessings. When I got home, I did not pass GO or collect $200, (Monopoly reference) and went for a long walk. The sun was warm, the sky clear, and just the perfect day. After a long walk, I sat on the park bench for a break, and soaked up the sun, then walked some more.

When I got to my house, I checked  the mailbox, and there on the top of a stack of flyers and junk mail was a large drawing on cardstock. I read the crayon written message and just beamed. “Thank you for the brownies and cars! Cade and Corbin”

This was from the two little boys across the street that were playing firemen in their backyard the other day. They always say hi to me and tell me about their dog and what they’re doing. I took them some brownies and a couple of Matchbox cars. They were just thrilled. 

A tiny gesture from me and a beautiful handmade thank you note from two little boys, that’s what life is all about, sharing, caring, kindness, and gratitude. These are the things that mean so much.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek-A-Boo

“A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.”

 – Carl Sandburg

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The highlight of my week has been visiting with my two favorite girls…my sweet Mom and my new granddaughter. The most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen. I am blessed beyond belief with an amazing family.

Friday’s Fabulous Finds and My Furry Friend

For where thy treasure is, there also will thy heart be.” ― Anonymous, Holy Bible: King James Version

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If you open your eyes, truly open your eyes, you will find treasure in every day. I find lucky pennies and feathers that give me hope. Then, I find beauty and inspiration every evening in the glorious sunset that paints the night sky. Finding treasure in an ordinary day is a gift, a gift you give yourself.

Look how amazing the sky was tonight. Gold treasure in the night sky.

Earlier this afternoon, I found another beautiful butterfly to have a friendly chat with. This is not the first time that a butterfly has befriended me. I was able to pick him up in my hand, but couldn’t snap a picture with the other free hand. I’m not sure why butterflies feel safe and agree to sit in my hand, but they do. Call me silly, but I think they like me.

I found a big ol’ nail in the street, again saving the world from flat tires. I’m always finding rusty nails and screws and pick them up. I often wonder if other people would take the time to pick them up or just keep walking. Maybe that’s why I see them, to prevent a problem for someone else. ( This was a big one.)

I texted my friend Karen to see if she was free for lunch today, and I found her at home and free. So, we met at Nom Nom for a yummy burrito bowl, and a quick three hour lunch. I truly have the finest friends. Having good friends is another treasure.

My furry friend, Bella, has been staying with me for a few days while Mr. Mike is at a training session. She not only keeps me company, but keeps me on my toes. Every three or four hours, she gives me those big puppy dog eyes and says, “Let’s go for a walk.” I think we went out five or six times today. She watches me paint, cook, clean, follows me around, and stands vigil by my side.

“For where thy treasure is, there also will thy heart be.”

These are my treasures, here is my heart. I am truly blessed.