Tuesday:) Two Year Anniversary and Celebration

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. So today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
—Dalai Lama

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Today has been a long time coming. Two years ago today, I moved into my new house. August 23, 2014. It just so happened to be the same day as what would have been my 39th wedding anniversary. Instead, I was officially divorced three days before that. Last year was one year in my new house. I celebrated alone with champagne and a sad heart.

This year, I’m going to celebrate with new neighbor’s, old friends and many people who love me. That makes it a special celebration. Two years in a new home, a new life, and a new chapter each year. I have been so blessed. 

I’ve been baking and cooking and shopping. It’s going to be a wonderful party. Pictures tomorrow, if I’m not hung over. Friends don’t let friends drink alone.

Montage Monday and More Celebrations

I think the more birthdays you have, the more days you should be able to celebrate.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Well, just when I thought I was done celebrating my birthday and being treated to lunch, another day of celebration. 

 
My friend, Linda Grossman, realtor extrordainaire and dear friend, invited me to lunch today, for yes, yet another birthday celebration. This makes day 5 of birthday celebrations. I think you should get at least one day for every decade you manage to get through. Hmm? Let’s see what tomorrow brings? 

When I got home, I received a Edible Arrangement gift basket from my son Joe and new wife, Lindsay. Fresh fruit and chocolate dipped fruit. What’s not to love! 

  
It was another great day. More celebrating, and another beautiful sunset on my evening walk.

  
Even the sky celebrated with glorious color at the end of the day.

  

Montage Monday: More Marvelous Sunsets and My Poem

“Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under!” ― C. JoyBell C.

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Instead my usual week in a peek, I wanted to continue the celebration of my  1 year anniversary of my new home and my new life. The amazing sunsets that I see every evening are just breathtaking. 

I’ve shared this poem before , but it’s one of my favorites. 

  
COME CHASE THE SUNSET                    

 

 

                    Come chase the sunset, come chase it with me

                    Fiery reds of the sky, tranquil blues of the sea.

                    Sizzles of summer, the softness of spring

                    With autumn upon us, winter’s chill on the wing.

                    Time is but fleeting, there’s only one chance

                    Shall we sit by the fire or get up and dance?

                    The journey is long, with burdens to bear

                    I never noticed, you carry more than your share.

                    Together let’s run and never look back

                    The clouds may be looming when the sky fades to black.

                    Just take my hand as the road rounds the bend

                    Run as fast as you can ‘til we get to the end.

                    Let’s race to the finish and shout out with glee

                   Come chase the sunset, come chase it with me.

                   

                   Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

  

 
  
Cheers!!!

Saturday on the Square: Sweet Spot Bakery Two Year Birthday Celebration

“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching — they are your family. ” 
― Jim Butcher
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“I wouldn’t want the guests at my birthday party confusing my celebration with the Oscars. That’s why I’m having the awards ceremony after we eat cake and I open my presents.
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― Jarod Kintz, This Book Title is Invisible
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  I’ve known these lovely ladies for over two years now. Kathy, Elizabeth and Kaylyn over at McKinney’s Sweet Spot Bakery on the Square, are not only good friends, but now they’re family. (It doesn’t hurt that yummy desserts and beverages are involved.) We sit, talk, visit, sing songs, share jokes and sad stories. It’s all good when you’re with family.
This evening they’re hosting a musical jam session with friends playing various instruments and everyone singing along.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89iK13tXTA

 
   

  

  

Theme Song Thursday:Celebration

“To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know.” 

― Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible

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I had the honor of being invited to the McKinney Magazine unveiling and reception at the Grand Hotel Ballroom this evening. The story I had submitted about the Art Club of McKinney Centennial was in this May issue, along with the 2015 photography contest winners, and other local stories. 

The best part of this celebration, for me at least, is the many friends that I ran into and chatted with. The first time I went to one of these events about eight years ago, I knew only one person, Robb Temple, a neighbor who had recommended me to write for the magazine. I was quiet, shy, and sat in the corner. NOW, “No one puts baby in the corner.” (Sorry, old movie analogy.) But really, today I knew half of the attendees, and many hugs and kisses, were exchanged. I have become part of the amazing McKinney community and it has become a part of me. A very important part. Where else can you go where the mayor says, “Hi Toni. How are you?”

“I love that every day is a story, a celebration of life.”~Toni Andrukaitis

http://youtu.be/rw1P7gdtAeY
   

 

  
These are one of the many days that I love being a writer, an artist, and a part of the #1 Best City to live.

  

Friday and Friends

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
~Grace Pulpit
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My friends from Chicago, Viv and Vicky are spending the weekend with me. Sometimes “your friends come in when the whole world has gone out.” I have been blessed with so any friends.

This afternoon, my artist girlfriends met us at Snug for my birthday lunch. Good friends, good food, and fabulous presents.

Then, we stopped at Sweet Spot for dessert, then off to Towne Creek to work on painting some glass bowls and celebrate my birthday and Miss Nelma’s with my senior artist friends where I volunteer.

Now, we are watching a movie, having snacks , pizza, and drinks.

Yes , I am truly blessed.

Friday: Holiday Fun and Friends

The pursuit of beauty and truth is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
Albert Einstein
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Another fun video from my Zumba class yesterday at the McKinney YMCA, getting into the holiday spirit. Such fun!

We celebrated Della’s birthday at Towne Creek today. Her birthday is Christmas Eve, and that’s a heck of a time to have a birthday. But, hopefully we made it a special day for her. We worked on making some crafts, had a little feast, and sang happy birthday before digging into red velvet cake. My favorite part was when we held hands before our celebration and said what we were thankful for. Funny, everyone mentioned the wonderful friends we had made and shared our days with. That’s what it’s all about, my friends!

Our little feast.

Della loved her special birthday celebration with friends and red velvet cake.

Krys Watson brought fabulous appetizers. Look how cute!

We made a bunch of these crafts to share with friends and family.

Thankful Thursday

They say that sixty is the new fifty. First of all, who are THEY? I tend to agree, but more from a cerebral mathematically calculated perspective. My current deteriorating and saggy sixty year old body feels more like an antique eighty year old body. But, on the other hand, my relentlessly inquisitive and creative mind feels like its only twenty years old. So, do the math. 80+20=100.To find the average or median, add the two integers and divide by two… VOILA… 50! I’ll take fifty. I prefer thirty, maybe even forty, but I’ll settle for fifty.

Today is only the first day in my newly acquired sixty year old skin. I remember when I thought sixty was soooo old. Now that I’m there, it’s not lookin’ so bad. I started off the day with an invigorating rockin’ Zumba class at the YMCA, a quick shower, off to my art club meeting followed by a weaving workshop, and home by 2pm. Once home, did my old bones collapse in the nearest leather recliner? No! I hadn’t eaten all day and was starving. So, I had a quick lunch, checked emails, played with the dogs, wrote this story and got ready for a fancy-dancy dinner.

The outside may be rusted and antiquated, but the inside still has a lot of mileage left. Happy Birthday to me!