“I believe that it is a mandatory Law of the Universe that on Fridays, you have to do something a little fun.”
~Hanna Rhoades
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I always enjoy stopping off at my local fire stations with my cookies around the holidays, but my favorite part is bringing them one of my hand-painted ornaments for their Christmas tree.
Happy Friday, my friends.
“ Every girl needs a friend that they can call or text and say, ‘What ya doin’ today, Thelma?” And she replies, ‘I’ll be right over, Louise!’ “
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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I probably didn’t fall asleep till 2am this morning, and woke up at 8. Instead of going back to sleep for a couple of hours, I decided I should get my walk in before the morning heat slithered in. I was out the door by 8:30 and managed to get 3 miles in before sweltering.
I had planned on taking a nap when I got home, but decided to make a few calls and check Facebook. Well, I noticed that my good friend, Sherri, otherwise known as my Thelma, had just posted something. So, I commented on her post and said, “What ya doin’ today, Thelma.” A few minutes later, the phone rang. I answered, “Hey Sherri!” She replied… “Who?” Oops… I corrected myself and said, “Hey Thelma!”
After a little bantering back and forth of where to go to lunch or what to do, we decided on lunch at PETRA’s for “food.” Sherri remembered that when someone asks if I like Mexican food, I always reply, “I’m Mexican. We just call it food.” Ha.
After way too much food and nice conversation, we drove back to my house to play with some art stuff. I wasn’t sure what, but I mentioned if she’d ever dabbled with calligraphy.
After Thelma went home, I was determined to be a little productive. (Very little) I cleaned a couple of bathrooms, straightened up the kitchen and was going to take a shower when I heard the lawnmower guys in the back yard. They mow three of our houses in a row, and if I’m home, I always make sure to give them something cold to drink or some ice cream sandwiches or both.
So, that’s my Friday so far. Now, time to relax. You know what Friday means….
“It’s always difficult to keep Fridays confined within themselves..they tend to spill over..”
― Parag Tipnis
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I had a lazy crazy rainy Friday. I checked on my little kitty friends a couple of times while Miss Kathy is on vacation. They like to hang out in my front yard and by my front door, hopefully keeping mice and little critters away.
Thank you boys!
My little friend Bella was visiting with me a few days.
I had a whole mess of mangos that needed peeling. I always had the hardest time. Then, a friend on Facebook said that she uses a potato peeler. Why didn’t I think of that. Six mangos were easily peeled and cut, except for a slight pause when I peeled the side of my left thumb and started bleeding. Yikes!
My evening walk revealed a lovely sunset after a dreary rainy morning. A beautiful sky and some beautiful flowers,
“I sure wish Friday would come around more than once a week. Couldn’t we eliminate one of the less impressive days, like Tuesday or Wednesday and have two Fridays?”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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On my morning walk with the dog, I was with a lovely sight. A beautiful white heron or egret or some such beautiful bird was soaring around the pond, dancing on the water, looking all majestic.
On my way home, a cardinal was chirping in Miss Kathy’s tree across the street. He was kind enough to pose for a photo op. Her cat, Mr. Mo was rolling around on the driveway, scratching and taking in a little sun.
Later in the evening, I walked Bella back home to her daddy, who was back from his business trip. It was getting dark, and the granddaughters wanted to FaceTime with Gamma. So, I walked in the dark and showed them some decorated houses on my phone along the way. It’s always so nice to receive those surprise calls.
It was a beautiful Friday and now it’s time for me and Elvis on the Shelvis to enjoy our Black Russian Friday.
Cheers, my friends!
“If my Friday was any lazier, people would think I was in a coma.”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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Wow! I literally did not get out of bed till noon today, and that was because I gave myself that very resolute and lofty goal. Now, the fact that I got out of bed at noon doesn’t mean I got anything accomplished. I stayed in my pajamas until 4:45 pm and took a shower at 5.
I did make a couple of phone calls, did some meditation, listened to some self-help cerebral type YouTube videos, and checked my emails, then floated away and flittering away the day on Facebook. On a laziness scale from 1-10, today I was about… pi cubed… 31.0062766803. That’s pretty lazy, but aren’t you impressed that I even know what “pi” is?
Everyone is entitled to a real lazy day now and then. My problem is I’m have too many “nows” and not so many “thens.” But, it’s Friday, my friends.
AND… It’s Black Russian Friday…. Cheers!!!!
“If these Texas days were any hotter, I would think I died and went to the opposite of heaven. Just sayin'”
~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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It was another scorcher here in North Texas. It was soooo hot, the farmers were feeding their chickens ice chips so they wouldn’t lay hard boiled eggs. (I borrowed that from somewhere?) when I went outside early this evening, around 6, the heat and humidity crushed my chest like an anvil weighing on it. I only stayed out about 15 minutes, and decided to postpone my long walk until right before sunset. That’s my favorite time anyway.
I went to Tom Thumb this afternoon and picked up a few great sale items, which always perks me up. Then, I made some phone calls, and talked to my best friend from back home a while this evening. It was good to catch up. Also, I got to FaceTime with the most adorable granddaughters on the planet. Thank goodness for technology.
I’m sure, like most of you, the extent of your activity and communication these days is done via some electronic device. That’s why it’s good to revel in the beauty of nature once in a while. I need this at least once a day. Here is my sunset from tonight. Yes! Amazing!
I walked 2.2 miles and admired and appreciated every second.
Now, for my Friday night tradition. Black Russian Friday. Cheers, my friends!
“Faces says the status of mind.”
― Biju Karakkona
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I’ve been making funny faces in my brownie mixes for many years. “I see faces everywhere.” When I made a batch of brownies, I was inspired. I never thought in a million years that this would be a theme for a brownie face photo. (I’ve been quartile too long.)
But, I also see faces in strange places when I’m out walking.
I’m not sure how it got to be Friday again already, but here we are.
Happy Friday, my friends. Cheers!!!
“Follow your instincts, be curious, dream big, love what you do, love learning, keep an open heart, and a strong spirit, have fun.”
~Anonymous
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It’s getting more difficult to get out of bed every morning. There’s no plan, no class, no lunch with the girls, no dancing or karaoke. There’s nothing to look forward to. It’s “Groundhog’s Day” every day.
I did a little organizing up in my “crap room,” but I can only take so much overwhelming chaos. It will take weeks and weeks of hard work and determination. I’ll keep you posted.
Then, there’s the endless hours I spend checking emails and looking at Facebook. You never know if there will be a new post or comment, so you need to check every three minutes, right? Sometimes that’s a good thing.
I saw a post reminding me that Maria had a Zoom Zumba class at 5. So, I logged in and managed to get through most of the fun hour before my knee gave up. Gracias Maria!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9_uvXv-B3A
I decided to try and take a little nap after that. Hmm? What else was there to do? I haven’t mastered the early evening nap yet. So, I got up and took a nice long walk. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to catch the fabulous fiery sunset. It always ignites my soul. God sure does know how to paint a magnificent masterpiece in the sky.
Happy Friday my friends. Cheers!
“It’s always difficult to keep Fridays confined within themselves… they tend to spill over…”
~Parag Tipnis
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My Friday started out with a frenzy of errands. Then, a stop at church for Adoration, to calm my soul, light a candle, and pray for special intentions. It’s a beautiful feeling when I take a deep breath and all my muscles relax, and my heart beat slows down. A beautiful place inside and out.
After texting and checking if my sick neighbor needed anything, I stopped at the store to get her some eggs and orange juice. I also decided to get the fixings to make a big batch of chicken soup for her. (Another story) I dropped the bag on her front porch bench, as she doesn’t want to get me sick if she is contagious.
Also, a stop at Fire Station 9 to drop of some of Miss Pat’s famous cookies.
My evening was going to be fun. I picked up Helene and Denna at 6 for our concert at MPAC on the square. Dave Halston was performing a Frank Sinatra Tribute at 8. It was a sold out concert. When we arrived, we saw our friends Loretta and Linda who were volunteer ushers for the event.
Dave Halston and his band were great. They played so many of Frank Sinatra greatest songs, and Dave threw in a few funny jokes. It felt like a Vegas show right in our little local theatre.
Then, seeing as it’s Friday night….
“This is America. We’re entitled to our opinions.”
“Wrong. This is Texas. And my opinion is the only one that counts.”
― Susan Elizabeth Phillips
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I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as quick as I could. I’m sure you’ve heard that before, but it’s true. Everything is bigger in Texas, so they say. I like that. It seems pretty appropriate today. When I cook, I cook big, when I bake, I bake big. Then, there’s Black Russian Friday.
Another day of counting my blessings. Mr. Mike came over this morning to finish installing my Ring Doorbell. I have the greatest friends and neighbors. I like the concept that sometimes God sends you angels and sometimes YOU are asked to be an angel for someone else.
While Mr. Mike was busy with the tedious installation, with several frustrating problems with wifi and settings, I received a text from my neighbor Allison. She said that she ended up in the emergency room yesterday with pneumonia and severe flu symptoms, and was feeling horrible. I asked her if there was anything I could do for her or pick up from the store. She was so thankful and gave me a short list of needed items from the store like soup, jello, ginger ale, orange juice, etc. I went to the store and dropped them off at her house.
We are all here to help each other. Good neighbors, good friends.
When I got home, I had a lot of cooking to do. I was a member of St. Gabriel’s women’s CRHP retreat a couple of years ago, and previous members are asked to provide meals for the new retreat members. They meet this weekend. Of course, I signed up for brownies. That’s my specialty.
Then, I felt guilty just making brownies. Too easy. So, I said I’d make pasta salad. Not just a bowl of pasta salad, but two huge bowls of pasta salad, starting with five bags of penne pasta. No recipe, just a lot of chopping, dicing, and love. “Go big or go home.” Very yummy.
To end my Go Big day, it’s Friday, so I decided to Go Big on my Black Russian Friday. A taller, bigger glass just means fewer refills along the way.
Happy Friday, my friends.
Toni Andrukaitis 