Thankful Thursday:) So Much To Be Thankful For

“Under trees, the urban dweller might restore his troubled soul and find the blessing of a creative pause.”~ Walter Gropius

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This morning, I woke up thankful that no alarm would summon me after going to bed quite late, and my pesky attic visitor, Mr. Mickey Mouse, did a little tap dancing routine during the wee hours of the night, 🤦‍♀️

The only thing on my calendar was a meeting at church at 2pm for the Connection Desk and Welcome Committee. I was going to go early and do some sketching in the sanctuary, but I received a few phone calls that impeded my progress. But, I did have 5 minutes to go to Adoration, light a candle, stop at the poor box, and get to the meeting by 2.

I am so grateful for the awesome people, volunteers, and friends that I’ve made at St. Gabriel the Archangel. Everyone is so giving and loving. The parish is growing by leaps and bounds, and it was reported
that we are getting interest from around 40 new families a month. Woa! Our meeting was to see how volunteers can help share information to visitors and prospective members. Personally, I just like to greet at the door on Sunday, share a smile, a hug, a compliment, and make people feel welcome.

After my meeting, I met Helene over by the chapel. She was there for Adoration, and we planned to stop at McD after. I am thankful for my dear friend Helene. Not only did she treat me to a big hot chocolate, but she came bearing gifts. She felt sorry for me and my goofy cough, cold, sneezing, etc. I’m feeling much better, about 80%, but a little back up is a good thing.

I am thankful for the amazing sunset that I was able to capture and enjoy on my evening walk. I haven’t been walking in a while, so it was great to bundle up and get out for a brisk walk.

Ah, my reward at the end of the day. A spectacular sunset of crimson and gold.

The day is not over, although it’s only 7pm and feels like midnight. I plan on having a nice dinner and going upstairs to my “crap room” (craft room) to paint a little. The holidays are soon approaching.

Happy Thankful Thursday, my friends.

Thankful Thursday:) SOOOO Many Blessings

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”

Steve Maraboli

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I have so many things to be thankful for, and at the very top of my list is my amazing family. I am truly blessed. Everyone has been posting back to school photos, so I thought I’d get in on the action.

Look at that smile. I’m one proud grandma.

Then, besides an awesome family, we received a beautiful downpour of rain this afternoon. I was so optimistic that I took an umbrella with me when I went out this morning. The power of positive thinking. That, and a lot of prayer and my Navajo rain dance.

Singing in the rain!

So much to be thankful for!

Thankful Thursday:) Feeling Blessed

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”

~Cicero

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Being thankful for what you already have and appreciating all the good in your life just makes your blessings overflow.

So, you may remember my dilemma posted on Facebook about being afraid to climb up to the 4th step of my ladder to change my kitchen floodlight. I realized my limitations. Well, I received many tips of getting a bulb changing extension pole, etc. Then, my nextdoor neighbor texted me, “I’m sending Jack over in the morning after his football practice.” Yay!

Thank you tall and strong Jack for saving the day. He even brought his own 8 foot ladder. Feeling blessed with awesome neighbors.

This morning, I decided to seize the day and get put for a morning walk before the triple digit heat set in. I walked a few loops, listening to the birds, watching squirrels, and taking in the beautiful sights. Well, the yellow and grey withering lawns weren’t that pretty. Hopefully they will come back if we ever get some rain. I stopped and rested on my favorite bench by the pond in the shade. Feeling blessed to live in such a lovely neighborhood.

Across Wilmeth Road, I saw my two horsey friends prancing around. They must be young, as they didn’t seem to mind the heat too much.

They came over to say hello to Miss Toni. They let me pet their cute muzzles.

Beauty and blessings, everywhere I go. All this before 9 o’clock in the morning. Happy Thankful Thursday, my friends.

Wednesday:)Words With Friends and Some Other Wonderful Stuff

“The great thing about waking up happy is HAPPY follows you around all day.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Another hot one here in Texas. It’s almost 7 pm and it’s cooled down to 100°. I got up early for my morning walk, determined to get in a few steps before triple digits hit. I’m just under 5K steps now, but I ain’t goin’ out there any more today.

I joined the Words With Friends Writing Group over at the MillHouse at 1pm. Melissa always has fun prompts and exercises for us to do. We also get to share our writing goals and share inspirations. Speaking of sharing, I took some of my “bad ass” peanut butter cheesecake brownies for the ladies. They were warmly welcomed… no heat pun intended. Sweet talented ladies.

On the way home, I stopped at Plaza Thrift resale shop. I try and stop by when I’m that side of town, as I’m always on the look out for the perfect bowl or vessel for my next Empty Bowl painting project. I almost didn’t stop because it was so dang hot, but I had a good feeling about it being my lucky day, I was right.

SCORE!!!! This will be the perfect background for yet another unique painted landscape. I was so proud that my last bowl sold for $400 at the Empty Bowls charity auction. My lucky day… and it continued.

My gas tank was almost on empty, as I was trying to get the fuel gauge as low as I could before filling up. Guess why? I had 90cents off per gallon of gas with my Kroger fuel points. So, I drove over to the east side of town for writing group, and back, probably just getting to Kroger on fumes. And to make things even better, gas prices had come down a little since last week. Win-win.

I filled up at $3.27 a gallon instead of “$4.17. Just last week, I think gas was almost $5.00. Lucky girl. Must be that 4% Irish blood that I have. ☘️

Seeing as I was on a roll, I stopped at Wendy’s that is in the same strip mall. Guess why? I had a coupon for a free 4 piece chicken nuggets. I splurged and got a 99cent drink, then sat and enjoyed my late lunch. (I didn’t eat any of the “bad ass brownies” earlier. Believe it or not, I enjoy baking and sharing them more than eating them.

Now, don’t go thinking that I live a perfect charmed life. I don’t. I just try and start out that way. When I got home, I realized that the TruGreen Lawn Service that was supposed to fertilize today either never showed up or went to the wrong house. I received a text saying the service was completed at 1pm, the granular fertilizer applied and the back gate closed. Well, there were no granular anything in sight, and I checked my 3 cameras, and no man fertilizing on any camera. Plus, they always leave a yard sign with instructions. Nope, nothing, nada.

Bukola did NOT get my message.

So, I called the number on the email invoice, not once, but three times. After all the prompts and long waiting, click… disconnected. I tried the live chat, not once, but three times. The response said, after long waiting times, “ message not sent.” Well, I was having a great day, so Mr. TruGreen fertilizer guy was not going to ruin my day. I finally got Cedric, on live chat text, who was able to help me and reschedule an appointment. The total time… 1 hour and 12 minutes to get resolved. I thanked Cedric, who probably lives in India where it’s even hotter than here. So, still feeling blessed.

Happy wild and wacky and wonderful Wednesday, my friends.

Thankful Thursday:) Good Friends

“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.”

~Irish Proverb

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It’s always good to count your blessings and count your friends, of which I have so many. Today, I am thankful for my crazy catholic side-kick and partner in crime, Helene. She was going to Sam’s Club to get gas and shop today, so I asked her if I could ride along and go shopping with her. I don’t have a membership.

Tomorrow is our visit to Towne Creek Senior Apartments for our arts and craft day. We are always on the look out for sales and deals for our projects and dinner feast. Helene has been volunteering with me for… hmm, at least a couple of years, if not more. I’ve been going for 15 years. Time flies when you’re having fun.

Today, I’m especially thankful for all her help, kindness, and sweet friendship.

A friend is someone who keeps you out of trouble. A good friend is someone who keeps you company while you’re getting into trouble. Thanks Helene.

So, tonight I’m busy getting ready for tomorrow, making pasta salad, bad ass peanut butter brownies, and I still need to go upstairs and think of our art project. It’s gonna be a long night. 🤦‍♀️👩🏻‍🎨

Here’s just the beginning of the kitchen chaos tonight. Stay tuned tomorrow for the grand finale. Miles to go before I rest.

Thank you Helene. See you tomorrow.

Saturday In The Park- It Wasn’t Even the 4th of July

“One of the happiest sights to see is a family laughing and playing in the park.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I know I’ve mentioned my many blessing more than many times, but did I mention that I am so blessed to live right across from a little park. It’s just a tiny swatch of grass with a couple of outdoor exercise equipment stations. But, every now and then, I’ll see boys playing football or soccer, or families riding their bikes and scooters round and round, and people walking their dogs.

Lately, I’ve see this family from down the street riding their little bikes down the sidewalk with their dad jogging along behind them. They play frisbee and have conversations with Miss Kathy’s cats who think they’d like to play too.

Sammi the cat can’t catch the frisbee, but he can chase it as it spins in the air,

While I was on my way home from my morning walk, the dad and three kids rode and strode over to the park. We shared our hellos as they started to toss the frisbee. They are actually pretty good. This gave me an idea.

I had a couple of brand new frisbees that I got on sale after the 4th of July last year. They were sitting in the garage just waiting for such an occasion. I grabbed one of the frisbees and walked back over to the park. I told the dad, Rick, that I really enjoy watching him and the kids play practically every day. I handed him the frisbee gift and the kids all ran over to check it out, they all said “Thank you” and proceeded to test out the new flag frisbee.

As I walked back home, I could hear them commenting on how cool it was spinning and how it was bigger than their old one.

I didn’t know these neighbors before, but now I know their names and they know mine. I’ll probably be known as the nice frisbee lady if they forget. isn’t that what it’s all about?

A random act of kindness is just another way of sharing your smile and your heart. ❤️

Happy Saturday, my friends.

Thankful Thursday:) Just Horsin’ Around

“There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” – Winston Churchill

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When I go for my evening walks, I enjoy listening to the birds, watching the sun sets, and appreciating the view. For the longest time, the horses across the way on Wilmeth have not been around. I was afraid the owner had sold them off and was going to sell his property that is now being surrounded my new housing developments. But alas, this beautiful horse was outside grazing in the pasture just waiting to make me smile.

We had a nice conversation. (I speak fluent horse, cardinal, cat, butterfly, and dog. Just sayin’)

Even last Sunday, he was out when I was walking and FaceTiming with the granddaughters. They got to see him too. Isn’t he cute! I took a little video.

Precious days like this are such a blessing. Beauty is all around us, we just need to open our eyes. Feeling blessed.

Thankful Thursday:) So Many Blessings

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
—John F. Kennedy

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I have so much to be thankful and so many blessings.

Yesterday, I went to my new writing group over at The MillHouse. This was only my second time joining this group, but I already love these talented ladies. Melissa led the group with some cool impromptu writing exercises and prompts. Everyone came up with some interesting stories.

Lovely talented ladies.

After writing group, I scooted over to my Spanish group at the Cotter’s house. The Charlatintos is the name of our group, and we spend about an hour and a half hablando en español. Very fun. Good friends.

Today, I am thankful for my many friends. I received a beautiful Easter card from my friend Donna in Ohio. I will keep it displayed all year long.

Such a blessing. So pretty.

I met Helene for lunch at Sali’s. The lasagna was yummy, with salad and garlic bread.

Afterwards, we went over to Tom Thumb. Butter was on sale with digital deal coupon. 99 cents, limit two. Helene got two also and will take them over to Miss Pat the Cookie Lady. Look what I found in the parking lot when I was putting away my cart. see, when you share your blessings, you get blessed back.

Lucky me! Forget one lucky penny. Look at this lucky find!

When I got home, my neighbor cat was sitting on my front porch just waiting for me.

“Finally, I’ve been waiting for you. Please scratch my belly.”

I returned a missed call to my old friend Debbie in Chicago. We just got off the phone. 1 hour and 8 minutes. A lot of catching up.

Yes, I am very thankful for my many blessings and my many friends. Life is good.

Toni’s Tribute to Trini Armenta:) Another Angel in Heaven

ANOTHER ANGEL IN HEAVEN

There’s another angel in heaven

Today her soul took wing

She’s up in heaven dancing

While the other angels sing

All were waiting for her

Their arms stretched open wide

To greet my angel mother

There on the other side.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis 2/15/2018

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Today is the four year anniversary of my sweet mother going up to heaven. I miss talking to her every morning on the phone. But, we still talk every morning. We just don’t need the phone any more.

You’d think I’d be very sad today, but I’ve been smiling, reminiscing, looking at old photos and videos, and remembering the sweetest woman who ever graced this earth.

Love you Mommo! ❤️❤️

Then of course, my favorite painting that I did of my mother from a photo when she was a a young lady.

I celebrated my mother by going to Mass this morning and thanking God for sharing this beautiful woman with us for over 90 years. That is such a gift. A few tears slipped down my face, but they were loving tender tears. I was so consumed in my nostalgia that when I left church, chatting with a few friends as I left, I totally forgot to light my candle. Oops! So…. later in the afternoon, after lunch, I went back to church to light my candle and thank God Again for His blessings. This time, I was all alone in the quiet sanctuary.

Thankful Thursday:) So Many Blessings, Even in the Blizzard

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood.”

– Bill Watterson

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Well, the winter storm has hit North Texas. It was sleeting all night, so the roads are slick. Schools, businesses, and city and country offices are cancelled. The snow started falling this afternoon, and we already have a scary 1 to 2 inches accumulated snow in the driveway. 🤦‍♀️ (My Friends Up North are giggling right now.)

View from my front window. I am thankful for a warm home, and plenty of things on my to-do list that I don’t plan on doing.

I am thankful for electricity that allows me to binge watch Star Trek Episodes and Hallmark all day and night.

I am thankful for the beautiful gift that my cousin Kathy sent me from Indiana, and the gift Joni and Bob dropped off the other day. (A gift card to Total wine? Why would they think that I use alcohol?)

I am thankful that Liquor King was kind enough to text me this morning to inform me that they were open today. They are just I looking out for me. Is the universe trying to tell me something? I’m not leaving the house.

I am thankful that I have enough wine to last me a few more days if we’re snowed in any longer.

Now, I am thankful for a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and all my many blessings.

Happy Thankful Thursday, my friends.