Wednesday:) What a Wonderful Auction at Towne Creek

“You have to be excited about your life.”

― Lailah Gifty Akita

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This afternoon, the residents at Towne Creek Senior Apartments had their first TC BUCKS AUCTION. Such an inspirational idea to promote participation of the senior residents. People were given TC Bucks, play money, for attending meetings, social events, health workshops, etc. This idea enticed people who normally stayed in their apartments to become more active and social.

The service coordinator, Christy Sadler, solicited donations from local businesses, churches and friends for the auction. I even received a mention for gathering items and asking friends to participate. The outpouring of fantastic donations was nothing less than amazing. Christy put together wonderful baskets and displays and booklets to promote the auction.

The residents had cute little paddles with their number for bidding, and the charming, Jim Smith was the ever enetertaining auctioneer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh6zWnYh_qw

My dear friend, and member of my art group, Miss Bonnie, scored three adorable baskets filled with goodies, gifts, lotions, jewelry, snacks, etc.

I overheard one lady, after the auction was over say, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

A big thank you to all the donors, churches, businesses, and especially my friends who gave me bags and boxes filled with treasures and trinkets, and Mr. Mike for all the art work, wall art, canvases, and that beautiful big metal clock.

A good time was had by all.

Thursday:) Those Young At Heart Seniors

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”

~ Frank Lloyd Wright

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I’ve been doing something crazy. Well, crazy in my mind. I’ve been going over to the McKinney Senior Center on Monday afternoons. They have a country dance venue that is such a kick. I never learned to dance when I was younger. When you think of a senior center, your mind gets all sad and sympathetic, and you envision a bunch of old white-haired codgers shuffling around. Oh my, quite the contrary.

I’ll admit, I’m probably one of the youngest people there, but these folks can move like nobody’s business. And talk about sharp. They know about a dozen different line dances that have more moves than Michael Jackson. I still haven’t mastered one. I’ve almost got the two-step down, but that was after stepping and stomping on the toes of several unsuspecting gentlemen. I did apologize.

Then, everyone takes a short break and nibbles on goodies that volunteers bring to share with the group. I made some brownies that quickly disappeared.

You only have to be 50 or older to join the McKinney Senior Center, and it costs a whole $5 a year for a resident membership, non-residents, $10 a year.

I had a great time, learned a few moves, and made some new friends. This getting old stuff isn’t all that bad when you keep dancin’ and singin’. Speaking of which, I better get moving…off to karaoke at the VFW.

Theme Song Thursday:) Fa La La La La

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

― Franz Kafka

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Another fun-filled day with Mom here at The Greens of Elgin. They celebrated the end of the month Birthday part for all the November birthdays. Cake and ice cream. You don’t have to ask me twice. Mom and I have a great cake relationship. She doesn’t like the frosting, so she scoops it off and gives it to me. I eat her frosting and mine and leave the cake.

After my breakfast of cake and ice cream, we went back upstairs and I was back to work on painting my ornaments. Many hours to go. I’ll keep you posted.

There was entertainment at 7:15, so I good time to take a break from painting. A charming group of students from Judson University, just down the road. It was a string quartet plus one. The director invited her son, an alumni, to join the group.

It’s so nice when young people share their talent and time with others, especially these lovely seniors who appreciate the music and love to sing along.

Friday:From Your Friends at Towne Creek ….Thank You

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton
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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about my senior friends at Towne Creek. TAPS, the local transportation system for McKinney, had cancelled their bus route, leaving many senior residents without transportation. Several of these lovely ladies asked for my help. I told them that all I could to is enlist my friends, post a plea for support on Facebook, and let the friendship networking do its magic.

I posted a video on my blog and Facebook page, but I also had the opportunity to speak to the Mayor’s wife, Donna Loughmiller, at the tree lighting ceremony on the Square. She said she would see what they could do to help. Several people sent emails, made call, and offered monetary support if needed. Well, long and short…their bus route was reinstated, and everyone is thrilled.

A few people tried to tell me that I was instrumental in getting this done, but all I did was share a few stories and post a video. All the friends, relatives, Towne Creek management, and neighbors who called and emailed TAPS made it happen. Thank you TAPS!

McKinney is a very loving and generous community. “It takes a village.” We certainly have a great village. Thank you to all who supported these seniors.
My sister, JoAnn, suggested that I also post a video of the happy, smiling seniors saying thank you. It’s easy to complain when things go wrong, but not everyone says thank you when the problem is resolved.

Friday: Four Ducks, a Feather and a Few Friends

“When you are standing in the middle of a storm you have two choices: Pray to God that it goes away. Or, start praying to God that he gives you the wisdom to figure out why you’re standing in the middle of a storm.”
― Shannon L. Alder
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We had some pretty bad storms yesterday, but our fair city of McKinney didn’t get hit too badly. We needed the rain, for sure. When I got up in the morning, it was cool and the sun was shining. I was out the door before 7:30 and walked well over an hour, just admiring the scenery, the ducks quacking in the pond, and the crisp refreshing after the rain air.

Then off to the store to pick up some refreshments and treats for my senior art group. (Found a lucky feather right next to my car.)

I had a nice Mediterranean lunch at Blue Olive with Karen and Mercedes, stopped at Ross, Michael’s, Big Lots, then over to Towne Creek. I brought hot dogs, chips and a chocolate pie to celebrate Miss Bonnie’s and Mr. Angel’s birthday. Miss Mary, who doesn’t even come to art, brought us a whole watermelon. We worked on some watercolor projects, and had a feast.

It was a long day…but, I came home, put on my gym shoes and went for a little walk before it got dark.

It was comforting to see the sunshine after the storm.

Friday Friends and More Birthdays

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.”
― Larry Lorenzoni
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The nice thing about having so many friends is that you get to celebrate your birthday at least a dozen times a year. This year, I was in Chicago and was able to celebrate my birthday with my mom and her lady friends and my sister in the morning. Then, I took the train downtown and celebrated with my sons. Another day, I celebrated with my old bowling buddies. This Wednesday, I celebrated with the TOTS, my artist girlfriends. Thursday was lunch with my Zumba friends. Today, my friends at Towne Creek, the YAH-YAHs, Young At Heart senior artist gave me a surprise birthday party, with tons of food, cake, fruit, snacks, flowers and presents. I am one lucky gal.

The TOTS…Table Of Talent Sisters.

Zumba buddies. A fun lunch at Bien Salsa on the Square.

The Young At Heart Artists. Thanks Miss Krys for all your hard work and teaching and sharing while I was gone.

Every year I say, “This is the best birthday ever,” and it’s true. Every year I have more and more friends to celebrate with.

I’m not getting older, I’m just getting to celebrate more!

Sacrosanct Saturday: Family, Friends, and Fish?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Chinese Proverb

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The sacrosanct time spent with my friends and family these past three weeks has been wonderful. The Chicago weather has ranged from frigid to unbearable, but not for this Texas gal. The warmth and love I’ve experienced has negated any cold temperature, and has given me the spiritual and emotional boost that will help me get through the tough times ahead. But alas, I go back to Texas tomorrow. I’m excited to see my dear friends and get back to my activities. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could have both? Wherever I am, I miss who I must leave behind.

I was familiar with the word “sacrosanct,” but very rarely had a chance to use it. So, what better place than right here to share a fun vocabulary word…

sacrosanct
sac·ro·sanct\ˈsa-krō-ˌsaŋ(k)t\
adjective
: too important and respected to be changed, criticized, etc.
Full Definition
1 : most sacred or holy : inviolable
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation
sac·ro·sanc·ti·ty \ˌsa-krō-ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē\ noun
Examples
the teacher’s book of grades is sacrosanct, and someone could be expelled for changing anything in it
believers eventually built a chapel on the sacrosanct spot where the miracle was thought to have taken place
Origin: Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite.
First use: 1601
Synonyms: hallowed, holy, inviolable, sacred, unassailable, untouchable
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On my last full day with Mom and her lady friends at The Greens, we had our last little arts and crafts lesson. We’ve been making beautiful notecards, and now that they each have several different examples, I’m sure they will be making more cards on their own. Mom has all the stencils, chalks, pencils and cards to share, and she is an excellent teacher in her own right. I’m glad I taught them to fish instead of giving them a fish. I have a feeling that I’ll be receiving some lovely handmade cards in the future.

Friday Friends: Baubles, Bangles and Beads

The fabulous Young At Heart senior artists of Towne Creek were thrilled to have guest jewelry maker, Krys Watson, visit today. Krys gave us a quick and easy paper bead demonstration and brought supplies for us to make dozens of our own beads. Everyone had great fun! Thanks Krys.

While everyone was busy making lovely beads, I had yet another light bulb moment. What’s a good song to go along with a bead making video? Then, being the “show tune queen” of North Texas, I remembered the song “Baubles, Bangles, and Beads.” I found the song on You Tube and played it on my iPhone while recording on my iPad. I’m not techno savvy enough to figure out how to dice and splice sound and video like the young folks, so I cheated. (Tip: cheating is OK if you’re old and challenged.)

Here’s Miss Bonnie. She’s very proud of her handmade beads.

Sharing art, crafts, music or anything with a group of friends is always fantabulous.

Tribute Tuesday: Seniors Honor Local McKinney Firefighters with Appreciation Lunch

Today, I had the privilege of joining my senior friends at Towne Creek Apartments in honoring local firefighters with an appreciation lunch. This charming group of residents chipped in for food and supplies, cooked, baked, and decorated their activity room in preparation for the arrival of local McKinney firefighters and EMT personnel. They wanted to show their gratitude to the men and women in blue who always respond to their emergency calls so quickly and with such kindness.

The room was buzzing with anticipation as the ladies warmed the food and cut cakes and pies. Everything was prepared by noon, the invitation being for 12 to 2pm. When the first red vehicle pulled up at 12:20, hearts were racing. When the firemen shyly entered the room, they were greeted with applause and cheers.

A few minutes later, a fire truck and ambulance full of first responders from Station #1 entered to another warm welcome and round of applause. The residents at Towne Creek were delighted to be able to show their appreciation by hosting a luncheon and getting a chance to serve those who serve the community.

All the ladies had outdone themselves with all their cooking and baking, which meant a ton of left over food. I had baked my usual brownies, and had a small container in my car that I was going to take over to Station #2 on my way home, so the ladies packed up all the remaining trays of brisket, chicken, salads, veggies and desserts for me to take to the station.

Miss Nelma wanted to come along to help with the delivery, so we drove over with my car packed to the brim with food. It took the guys at Station #2 a couple trips to take all the food in. The men were so delighted that they asked if we’d like to come in for some tea. How sweet is that? We declined the tea, but said we’d love to see the station. Miss Nelma enjoyed the personal tour, asking questions and sharing stories.

There is no greater feeling than showing your appreciation and saying thank you to those who do so much for us. Every day should be appreciation day! Is there someone you want to thank?

The guys at Station #2

Miss Nelma loved the personal tour and charming firefighters

Friday: Following the Sunset

Every Friday evening, I drive heading west down the same road at the same time, 6:05. My radio is blasting some tune from the 70’s, as I sing along, my head bobbing up and down like a teenager. Yes, I’m a sixty year old teenager, and I don’t care.

Spring is attempting to emerge, with tiny sprouts of green popping through the grey-brown dormant grass, with daffodils protruding bursts of gold from their winter hibernation. But, what amazes me this time of year are the sunsets. The glorious sunsets. The colors could never be duplicated on a canvas. When I see these spectacular miracles of nature, I drive home as fast as I can, (minding the speed limit, of course) to the highest unencumbered point in my neighborhood. There’s a perfect spot, high up on the hillI, where I can capture the moment. I fumble for my camera or iPhone, then start snapping away.

I find myself chasing the sunset in many ways. Hopefully, I will catch it one day.

The golden glow of winter
Slowly courses into Spring
With hues that pale the rainbow
That only dusk can bring.