Friday:) Frumpy Days Call for Friends, Food and of Course…Chocolate

“You’re not going to be dreary on the inside if you’re not dreary on the outside.”

~Alexandra Stoddard

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When is it going to quit raining already? It was dark and gloomy and drizzly this morning. I walked the dog in the rain around 8, then it was so gloomy that I decided to hop back under the covers. I decided if I could fall asleep, great. If not, I would get up and go to Zumba. Hmm… Zumba was fun.

After an exhilarating class, I stopped for a quick drink with Mr. Doug, I’m such a party girl. When you get old, stopping for a drink means coffee or iced tea at McDonald’s. Then, I stopped at Lynne’s for a visit because she had some extra glass vases and things that she thought I could paint. Then, a quick stop at Kroger.

By the time I got home, I was starving. My fridge is so full, the decisions were endless. Let’s see, I’ll try and be good. After all, tonight is Black Russian Friday.

Fruit and hot tea to warm up on a frumpy Friday. What else can perk up a dreary day? Chocolate, of course. So much for being good.

I hope you’re having a great Friday. Dreary and gloomy is only on the outside. So, let your inner sunshine glow and dance in the rain.

Wednesday:) Walk Softly and Carry a Big Umbrella

“When the going gets tough, the tough go for a walk in the rain.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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It has rained almost every day, on and off all week, mostly on and not so much off. I hate to miss my walks, so I just grab my big Norte Dame umbrella and walk in the rain.

Needless to say, I didn’t run into any other walkers out there tonight.

Even though these endless rainy days could be depressing, I don’t let it get me down.

Ah oh! A show tune coming on…”Rainy Days and Monday’s.” I’ll have to sing that tomorrow at karaoke.

This morning, my friend Diane and I went to the movies to see “A Star Is Born.” Very good, pretty sad, great singing and acting. (Spoiler alert) A few tears at the end. Good movie for a dreary day.

With all this rain and dreariness, a good tip to avoid the blues is keep busy and keep moving.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Timely Weather Tip of the Day

“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.”

― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

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Again! More relentless rain. I drove to Zumba this morning with threatening clouds on the way, then returned home an hour later with black clouds and pelting rain. That was over seven hours ago, and there are no signs of a cease fire. Or should I say cease water?

So, here are my very timely and well tested and Toni approved tips for a rainy day…

1. If it rains all day with no end in sight… take a nap. (You can’t go out and play. Especially if you only had five hours of sleep.)

2. Before you take a nap, drink a tall glass of water so you don’t have to set your alarm in fear of sleeping all day. (Better than an alarm clock. I know.)

3. Disregard tip 2. Because you’ll have to get up to go to the bathroom three or four times and won’t be able to fall asleep. (Ask me how I know?)

4. After the second or third time having to get up to go to the bathroom, grab your favorite stuffed animal or real animal for comfort, then try to fall asleep, despite the pelting rain against the windows. (My son Matt brought this little lion back for me from South Africa when he went for the World Cup. He went with only a backpack, yet brought his momma back a special souvenir gift. I’ll always treasure it.)

5. When all else fails, just get up and have a nice cup of tea, some pecan pie with a big scoop of sea salt caramel ice cream. (I never did fall asleep. Maybe I was just hungry.)

6. Last but not least, put on your raincoat, grab your tools, and get back out into the yard and finish working on the ark. You’re gonna need it. (Don’t forget the animals, two by two. No mosquitos, scorpions or snakes, please.)

Wednesday:) What To Do On A Rainy Day?

“As a writer, artist, crafter, baker and avid cook, I find that my favorite past-time on a rainy day is cleaning and organizing my house… said NO writer, artist, crafter, baker or avid cook EVER!”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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What a yucky rainy day today! Last night, I chipped my front tooth, so first thing in the morning, I made an appointment to get that fixed. They were able to get me in at 9:30 am. Yay!

I quick got dressed, grabbed my umbrella, hopped in the car, and drove over the two blocks to walk my little doggie friend, Bella. Her daddy was working. She didn’t mind the drizzle.

I raced over to the dentist. They said my two top front teeth were jagged and worn away from bumping into my lower crooked teeth. Perhaps, I should consider Invisalign to straighten those out. (Hmmm, maybe another time…NOT!) One tooth had a tiny sliver of enamel come off the back, not noticeable from the front, but the other tooth was getting ready to do the same thing. I asked if it could be repaired. Of course, no problem.

A quick X-ray…always X-rays…I’m going to glow in the dark. Maybe I already do. The assistant asked if I wanted gas? For a filling? Seriously? My pain threshold is comparable to an entire Special Forces unit. Not, really, but it’s pretty good.

So, drill, drill, fill, fill, Polish, polish, and about ten minutes later, the two tiny fillings the size of an eyelash were done and polished. I probably could have used the gas or some Oxy when they told me how much it would be. $590!!! Yikes!

But, I was grateful to get it taken care of. By the time they fix all my teeth here and there, it will be time for dentures. Why would I get Invisalign to straighten out my already old terrible teeth. I just need a good pair of choppers?

After the dentist, I stopped on the square to visit with friends at Sweet Spot Bakery and the Visitor’s Bureau. I hadn’t been on the square in ages. Then, on the way home, I stopped at a couple of stores. (Rainy days call for shopping) I bought a few of those wire coated racks for organizing the kitchen cabinets. Rainy day project.

When I got home, I did not pass go or collect $200, I proceeded to organize just one kitchen cabinet with all the cups, saucers, plates, etc. I was very proud of myself.

Aren’t you proud of me too? Well, that’s the extent of my ambition on this rainy day. I think I need a nap. Rainy days require a nap.

Wednesday:) What’s Cookin’ Miss Toni~ Waste Not,Want Not

“The best remedy for a gloomy rainy day is a yummy batch of freshly baked cookies. Ask me how I know?”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Holy Crazoli, it was a gloomy day today. But, I was in a great mood. With no agenda in the morning, I didn’t roll out of bed until 11. Wow! Haven’t done that in a while. I actually had some interesting dreams that I remembered for a couple of hours, forgotten now. They involved intrigue, and some foreign Russian spy type people, but it was better than no dreams or bad dreams.

I took a couple of misty walks during the day, just bundled up, put on a hat and gloves, and enjoyed the moisture. I like to think of it as a free facial.

This evening, I decided to bake some cookies for my divorce support group at church. I usually try to bake something for the group. I had several rolls of cookie dough in the freezer that I made at Thanksgiving. Plus, I really need to make room in my over stuffed freezer. I freeze pretty much everything. I also had a zip lock bag with left over Russel Stover and Godiva fancy chocolates that I had frozen for a rainy day. Hey! It was raining!

I sliced and shaped the dough into small rounds and cut the fancy candy to place on top. I know, hard to believe that I have left over chocolates,  but I do. I receive many gifts of chocolate candy, and couldn’t possibly consume it all.

Well, I don’t want to brag…well, yes I do. These were probably the best cookies I ever made. They were enjoyed by many. 

The best remedy for a gloomy day…lots of cookies.

Rainy Days and Mondays and a Montage

“The unwelcome November rain had perversely stolen the day’s last hour and pawned it with that ancient fence, the night.” 

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

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It was a dark and gloomy day, the rain embodied the entire day. I braved the drizzle with my umbrella, determined to get my morning walk in. How bad could it be? Well, I got around two blocks away when the bellowing thunder convinced me to turn around and go home.

It was the perfect day for a leisurely lunch at Olive Garden with my friend Zelda. Then, a late afternoon movie. We went to see the Ben Affleck movie, “The Accountant.” If you haven’t seen it yet, no spoiler alert, but it was a little difficult to follow at times and a bit drawn out in places. Slow in the beginning, then too much bang-bang, action, shoot-kill at the end. I give it a 3 out of 5. 

After the movie, the rain still pelted. Rainy days and Monday’s don’t always get me down. It was a good day. We could use the rain, it’s a welcome blessing.

A week in a peek.

Saturday:) A Rainy Day From My Umbrella

“Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.” ― Bill Watterson

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Complaining about the weather is a national pastime. Here in North Texas, we went from hot, hot, hot and dry, to … hot, muggy, humid and rain, rain, and more rain. This rain puts a damper on my daily walks, but that’s why God created the umbrella. Well, He actually didn’t create it, but he made the guy who invented it and brought it into existence. Same thing!

So, as not to be negligent on my daily inspirational walks, I took some photos from under my umbrella.

The ducks really enjoy the rain. The pond is way over its banks, so they can just waddle in and go kerplonk.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“A gloomy rainy day is like a plush grey blanket that envelops the sky. So, I take a nap.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Rainy days and Mondays! It threatened rain most of the day. I made it to kickboxing at 8:30, got a walk in for about an hour, with just a few drops, off to lunch with Miss Zelda, a quick stop at Michael’s, filled up the car with gas, home in time for another walk in between drizzles. And, I still felt pretty gloomy and unproductive. So, instead of tacking a project, I took a nap. A good thing to do on a dreary rainy day. Life is good!

   
 
A week in a peek.  

Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff

“The rain to the wind said,

You push and I’ll pelt.’

They so smote the garden bed

That the flowers actually knelt,

And lay lodged–though not dead.

I know how the flowers felt.” 

― Robert Frost

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ANOTHER rainy day! Enough already! The weekend was a wash, and I didn’t even go to the square for the three days of festivities for Home For The Holidays. It was cold and rainy and I have ornaments to paint. 

But, this morning I looked forward to waking up early and greeting before 9 o’clock Mass. Everyone scampered in with soggy umbrellas and hooded jackets. Yet, they all smiled and returned my “Good Morning” greeting at the door. I still get that warm feeling when I see families holding hands or carrying babies as they file in to celebrate Mass. “It’s a good thing…or is it a God thing?” Either way, it’s special.

Today’s Gospel was kind of depressing, yet hopeful. Father Don talked about how our world today is very much like today’s Gospel, with so many tragedies and terrible things happening around the world. But, we must be prepared because we never know when the final judgement will come. 
My take on it…If you are prepared, if you lead a good life, if you have loved and been loved, then you have nothing to fear. I like the part that says, “stand erect and raise your heads.”
LK 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, 

and on earth nations will be in dismay, 

perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

People will die of fright 

in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, 

for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man 

coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen, 

stand erect and raise your heads 

because your redemption is at hand…

  
There must have been over 100 umbrellas scattered about outside and inside the narthex. Neither rain nor sleet nor gloom of day…

Okay, back to working on my ornaments. “Miles to go before I rest.” Did I mention I’m covered in glitter most the time?

  
All handpainted, glittered with matching boxes. Not even close to being finished!

Something funny to smile about… 

 
   
   

Thankful Theme Song Thursday

Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.” ― Bill Watterson

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Today, I am extremely thankful for the glorious rain that has finally graced the skies of north Texas. The thirsty earth is soaking up every delightful drop. The rain didn’t start until late afternoon, so I was able to get to my Zumba class in the morning and go for a long walk/run. I visited with friends, and had a late lunch with Lynne when I dropped by her house. Good tip: visit friends at lunch time and you just might get invited to stay for pizza.

Therefore, I am signing the praises of the well needed rain. Everyone…sing along!

   
 
I actually cranked up the radio and was dancing in the kitchen. Not exactly a rain dance, but rather a thankful for the rain dance.