Friday:) Friends, Funny Faces and More Friendly Firemen

Friends are like walls, sometimes you lean on them and sometimes it’s good just knowing they’re there.

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Finally, some rain and relief from the summer heat. I was able to get a nice walk in this morning without the sun baking my skin. Ah, clouds! I love clouds. Then, I had a lunch date with my neighbor, Diane, to celebrate her birthday. We’ve been friends since I moved to my new house four years ago. We look out for each other. That’s what friends are for.

On our way to lunch, we stopped at Fire Station 9 to take some brownies and some of Miss Pat’s cookies. Miss Pat gave me a bunch of cookies to share with our local firemen. She’s such a great baker. We call her the Cookie Lady.

No, we weren’t drinking. This is an old picture. I just wanted to share a picture of sweet Miss Pat.

The guys over at Station 9 appreciated the cookies and brownies. They were just about to have lunch, so dessert was just in time.

Miss Pat’s awesome cookies. Oh, yesterday was karaoke at the VFW, and that’s when she gave me the cookies. I love my karaoke friends. We sing and dance and laugh, and the second Thursday of the month, we have a potluck dinner, so good food.

I have been blessed with so many good friends. Oh, and I’ve been blessed with a weird sense of looking at the world, too.

When I went for my evening walk, I couldn’t help but think of all the wonderful friends and people in my life. Then, I saw a possible face on one of the sprinkler covers in the grass by the pond. With a little imagination and nearby natural embellishment, I created a funny face. Another friendly face in my world.

THE END….

Friday:) Finally Filled up the Wine Rack

“Set realistic goals, keep re-evaluating, and be consistent.”

~Venus Williams

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When I moved into my new house, August 23, 2014, I had just a few bottles of wine, maybe 6. I wasn’t a big wine drinker. I had plenty of hard liquor, mostly remains from a well stocked bar that a certain someone didn’t care to take with him when he moved out. When I tried to figure out where to store my wine, I realized that I didn’t have a place to store them, because it’s supposed to be stored lying on its side. The old house had a built-in wine rack and wet bar.

I looked all over for a small wine rack. I couldn’t find anything that I liked. One day, I was at a neighborhood garage sale, and found this awesome wooden wine rack for only $25.

This photo is from September 2014. My goal was to see if I could eventually fill every slot of this cool rack. When I put in the few random bottles of wine that I had moved with me, it looked very empty and sad. When I went to the store, I would buy one or two bottles of wine. I’d lovingly place them in the slots.

Here’s the bad part. You’ve heard the saying, “Two steps forward, three steps back.” Well, I’d buy a few bottles of wine, then I’d drink one or two. Sometimes I’d have friends over, or I’d go to a friend’s house and take a bottle of wine. The poor thing never got filled.

Well, today was the day. I was at Sprouts and bought 6 bottles of wine, on sale, of course. Granted, it was inexpensive wine, but I’m not a connoisseur of fine wine. I was so excited when the very last bottle filled the very last slot.

After nearly four years, my goal has been accomplished. Now that I’ve completed my mission, let the consumption begin.

If you’re in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by for a glass of wine. The next goal is to empty the wine rack. I think that this task will be a little easier than the former.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Steamy Texas Peek

“It’s SO hot here in Texas, I turned on the oven just to cool off!” (Just kidding, but I was baking some brownies.)

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Another hot, hot, hot Texas week. Thank God for air conditioning and ice cream. Not necessarily in that order. A great week with friends, pool parties, parades, karaoke, long steamy walks, and Church on Sunday. All the makings of a wonderful week…

A week in a peek…

Tuesday:) Toni’s Ten Timely Tips

Memory embellishes Life. Forgetfulness makes it possible.

Romare Bearden

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I had ten timely tips for you today…but unfortunately, I’m getting old, so I can only remember a few of them. That’s not bad. “Better like nothing.” I love that phrase. My sweet little mother-in-law had the most delightful expressions. She has been gone for many years, but her Lithuanian/English language expressions still make me smile.

Tip #1~ Visual reminders are a must. I am always baking brownies, cupcakes, cookies etc., so I go through a lot of eggs. I used the last of my eggs the other day, but when I went to the store Sunday, I forgot to buy eggs. I didn’t write it down, but I usually forget my list anyway. So, I put the empty container on the kitchen counter to visually remind me constantly until the next grocery store visit. Then, because I was really desperate, I put the container on the middle console of my car. This, made it impossible to forget. Try it…it works.

Tip #2~ Never, I repeat never give up your phone landline if you are always misplacing your cell phone. The Find my iPhone app works fine if you lose your phone somewhere else, (I’ve used that a few times) but when you misplace it at home, unfortunately, the app doesn’t say,”You left your phone in the closet next to your gym shoes, dummy.” It just shows that it’s somewhere in your location. So, this morning, when I couldn’t find my cell phone, I used my landline and called the cell. Then, I walked around listening from room to room. Oops! It was buried under the covers on my bed where I left it after hitting the snooze button for the third time.

Tip #3~ If you’re always forgetting to take out the garbage, place the container in front of the door, so you can’t leave without doing the job. When I played tennis, I’d put my tennis racket bag in front of the door so I wouldn’t forget my racket. Don’t want to forget something, put it in front of the door so you can’t leave without the reminder. (Note: It doesn’t work if you don’t want to forget one of the children. They don’t stand still that long.)

Tip #4~ If all else fails, use a Post It Note for reminders. These sticky notes are a great invention. But again, they only work if you remember to write it down and see the note. My best tip and last resort is to post it on my person. I’ve been known to do this. Remember when you were little and the kindergarten teacher would safety-pin the notes that needed to go home to parents? Well, that’s only if you’re as old as me. Now, everything is done via internet. Back in the 50’s, we didn’t have internet. We had safety-pins.

Tip #5~ 10… I FORGOT TO WRITE THE OTHER TIPS DOWN, SO YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN. I’M OLD, REMEMBER!

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom and a Wiggly Worm

“If the early bird catches the worm, I’m going to stay in bed till noon, drink a nice cup of tea, have lunch, watch “Jeopardy” on TV, then go out later when the worms are all gone.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I just realized today that I’m not really afraid of worms, I just don’t like that they are all wiggly and slimy and helpless. When I was a younger lady, and was coerced into going fishing, I refused to put the worm on the hook. Yuk!

It didn’t occur to me until today why that was. Who could possibly be afraid of a worm? We are so much bigger than them. They don’t bite, or spit, or call you names, or insult your mamma.

Worms are helpless. They don’t have feet or paws to run away. They are at your mercy. I could never grab the poor thing, alive and all helpless and wiggly, then pierce his poor little body with that sharp hook. Then, if that isn’t torture enough, you throw him, weighted down, into the water, to wriggle and drown, unless of course, a big old wide mouth bass comes and gobbles him up first. (Don’t even get me started on that poor fish!)

When I go for my daily walks, sometimes I see a helpless worm slithering and writhing desperately on the scorching hot sidewalk. He gets nowhere fast. I used to search for a nearby leaf or twig to rescue Mr. Worm from its imminent doom. Now, I just say to myself, “What the heck. Just pick up the poor thing and place him in the cool grass. He won’t bite. Wash your hands when you get home. What if you were that worm. Wouldn’t you like to be rescued?” (When I talk to myself, it’s usually a long conversation.)

It was pretty hot this morning, but it was also designated watering day, which means sometimes the worms slither out to escape the soaking grass sprinklers and end up on the scalding pavement or sidewalk. Then, they can’t get back to safety.

Not only am I the animal whisperer of McKinney, but also the worm rescuer. I rescued several worms today. Nope! Didn’t think twice. Just picked up those darn wiggly worms and placed them gently in the grass. I think this poor little guy said, “Thank you, Miss Toni!” In worm language, of course.” You’re welcome! “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Well, I bet you’re going to think twice about being afraid of a little worm next time. NOW SNAKES!!!! That’s a different story!!!!! BE AFRAID!!!!

Tuesday:) Toni’s Talking Power Cleaning

“The good thing about my obsessive compulsive cleaning disorder is that it only hits me during months that start with M. Thank goodness it’s almost June.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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They always say if you want to keep your house clean, you should invite guests over or have a party. In May, I had a Cinco de Mayo party, and last Friday, I had some friends over for Black Russian Friday. Thus, I was inspired to tidy up the house, but not serious cleaning. I justified it by telling myself that the floors and kitchen were just going to get dirty with company, so don’t get carried away.

This morning, I went to Zumba class at 8:30, then rode the bike for 5 miles. I came home and went for a walk… very hot at 11. I was energized. Mr. Bob, the handy man, was coming over this afternoon to install a new light fixture where an old broken one was removed, loose wires precariously dangling from the ceiling. While I was stranded at home waiting for him this afternoon, I decided to vacuum and wash the floors. It’s been weeks, maybe months. First I swept all the floors with the broom, then vacuumed same floors, then all the carpets and area rugs. Oh, while I’m here, I should get out the duster and dust all the baseboards, above the doors and sills, and those pesky dusty blinds. Pledge the table and chairs. You know how that goes. One thing leads to another.

Mr. Bob arrived precisely at 2:30. He’s always prompt. While he was sawing and wiring and climbing up and down the ladder, I continued my power cleaning frenzy in the family room and in the kitchen.

I moved out all of the chairs and mopped the floor, wiped down the counters, oh while I’m here, look at the smudges on these cabinets, oh, the stove has spills…and it went on and on.

Mr. Bob installed the light fixture in less than half an hour. He’s fast, and NO, I’m not sharing his number because then he’ll be too busy when I need him.

Before and after…

After Mr. Bob left, I continued on into the bathrooms, mopping floors, cleaning toilets and mirrors. Oh, the master bath has a tub that I never use, so I got the nozzle from the vacuum and vacuumed the tub. Yep, the tub.

Finally, the entire lower level is spotless. I’m exhausted. The upstairs will have to wait till March, the next cleaning month that starts with an M.

After I got my second wind, I made some brownie bites that will be frozen, then dipped in chocolate Friday.

Around 7:45 pm, there was just enough time to squeeze in a long evening walk, cooler with the sun setting, and always a stunning sight to see.

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom~Listen to Your Doctor

“There’s a lot of difference between listening and hearing.”

― G.K. Chesterton

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I have found as I grow older that it is not only important, but it absolutely vital to listen to your doctor. When I went to my doctor for my last annual exam, she asked if there were any concerns. I said that occasionally, I lose my balance or get dizzy early in the morning, especially when in the shower. She asked if I had proper safety features in my shower so I don’t fall. Then, she said that I need a good strong bar in the shower.

I don’t have a bar in my shower, so I did some on-line research.

After a long exhaustive search, I found the perfect bar for my shower. I ALWAYS listen to my doctor.