Wednesday:) My Personal Words of Wisdom

“Wake up thankful, see beauty everywhere, share, care, and never stop learning.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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One of the many self-help podcasts and webinars I’ve been listening to suggested that getting up early, meditating, exercising, and eating healthier could not only improve your body, but also your mind. Those of you who know me well know that I rarely go to sleep before 1 or 2 am, and getting out of bed somewhere before noon. I am AMAZING! I can change my habits.

I’ve been getting up before 7am, saying my novena, listening to my Formed Daily Reflection, and out the door for my walk before 8 am. I’ve been averaging 2 to 3 miles a day, sometimes more. (See beauty)

After my strenuous streamy walk, I sat on the bench and soaked in the sun, admired my view, and listened to the birds chirping their happy songs. (See beauty)

My neighbor cats followed me home, and Juno tried to walk inside with me. I’m keeping an eye on them while Miss Kathy is out of town a few days. (Care)

Today was garbage pick up day. It was already super hot out there, so when I heard the truck churning down the street, I ran out to give the very nice driver some cookies and a cold Dr. Pepper. He had the biggest smile on his appreciative face. (Sharing is caring)

After drinking a lot of water, I worked on an on-line writing workshop with Nadia Colburn. I was going to make a smoothie, but when I grabbed a few frozen blueberries and popped them in my mouth, I decided to just eat frozen blueberries for breakfast while I wrote. They were delicious and refreshing. (Eating healthy and keep learning)

This motivated me before heading over to the MillHouse for our in person writing group called Words With Friends. (More learning)

On my way to the east side, I stopped by Towne Creek Senior Apartments to drop off a couple of cases of bottled water for their community closet. I’ll be there Friday, but I’ll already have so much to carry. (Sharing)

Our writing group was great. Such a great group of talented creative ladies. Thank you, Melissa Cantu, for always challenging and inspiring. (Learning)

I found a feather outside at the MIllHouse on my way to my car. (Lucky)

Talk about sharing, Andrea Holmes had posted on Facebook that she was organizing her studio at MillHouse and had a whole bunch of extra cool art supplies for anyone who wanted them. I arrived early and picked out some awesome paints, papers, and other art supplies. (Sometimes others share)

By 7 pm, I was actually hungry. I made a great big salad. Yum. Perhaps I’ll splurge and have a glass of wine later. After all, grapes are very healthy, even in liquid form, right?

What a busy beautiful healthy sharing caring learning kinda Wednesday.

Wednesday:) When You Care, You Share

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” 

― Brian Tracy

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While I was focused on my food frenzy of making turkey soup, stew, and turkey salad, I also baked some brownies. As always, I shared with friends. Today, I invited my neighbor Diane over for lunch. Guess what we had? Right! Turkey soup with a surprise desser of a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce. Yum! 

After lunch, I went for a walk. It was a bit chilly, but the sun was shining and the trees were starting to turn. When I got back to my front door, I noticed that my single solitary knockout rose bush was still gorgeous, still blooming.

Knowing that these beautiful blooms will not last much longer, I decided to share some roses with friends. I gave a few to the neighbor’s next door, then I decided to cut all the pretty ones to share with my friends at our church group and a few for the ladies in the choir, who meet at the same time.

I devised a way to keep the roses in water with a recycled yogurt container. I made an X on the lid to put the flowers in water without spilling. 

I individually wrapped the smaller ones in a baggie for the choir ladies.

I also took some brownies for my support group and took some mini pot pies for one of my friends who is unable to cook right now. 

All these gestures were greatly appreciated. The roses were a gift of nature. It didn’t cost anything but a little time to cut and wrap and share. When I cook and bake, it doesn’t take that much more effort to make a little more and share. 

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” 

― Brian Tracy

Saturday:Sharing, Caring and a Smile

A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.
Denis Waitley
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I don’t know if it’s just the holiday season, or the hustle and bustle of the world swirling around me, but I’ve been busier than a horsefly at a rodeo. Everyone seems to be smiling and saying, “Merry Christmas.” I love it!

Today, when I opened up my email, I noticed a coupon from Walgreens for a free 8×10 photo for today only using the coupon code today8x10. So, I quick downloaded a photo of the TOTS from our party on Thursday and in an hour, I’ll be the proud owner of a free enlargement. Of course, aim not running over there in an hour. I’ll get it tomorrow after church. Thus, the sharing, quick…go order a free 8×10. You have until midnight.

We exchanged gifts at our writing group this morning. Mandy had given me a pair of beautiful 1 carat diamond earrings…and they’re REAL? Well, they look real, so they probably are.

Julia gave me a lovely set of two handmade soaps embellished with real fragrance rosebuds. I hung them on my Christmas tree. So beautiful.

Liz brought us each a cute ceramic mug with hot chocolate mix inside, which is perfect, because I detest coffee and adore hot chocolate. My friends know me so well. Thus, the caring.

While I was traipsing around the Square all afternoon, I had a big bag of those little wrapped candy canes on my arm. I passed them out to friends I bumped into and strangers having lunch or walking past me outside. Everyone said , “Thank you, Merry Christmas!” And you know what? Everyone gave me a big smile! PRICELESS!!!!!!!!