. “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all other virtues.” — Cicero
************************
Today is my first full day home after visiting my Chicago friends and family for 25 days. It was a wonderful busy wild and crazy visit.
I came home to a clean house and tons of mail to go through, and an empty fridge. I haven’t unpacked, checked the mail or gone to the store to restock the fridge. Sometime last evening, my back that had been a little funky and sore for a few days really acted up. It was so bad during the night that I almost called 911. It’s a bit better today, but not great. So, I’ll see what tomorrow brings. I’m just glad I got home before this all happened and not far away, being a burden on family. Feeling thankful and blessed.
The fridge may be empty, but not my thankful heart. (Note the fuzzy green moldy muffins that I came home too.🤦♀️) Cheers!
“The holidays are always a special time with family and friends. I have been blessed with the best of both.”
“You know what is even better than the gift of awesome girlfriends? Answer: Awesome girlfriends bearing gifts.”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
**************************
Today, we celebrated our belated birthday for Sherry and our annual Christmas celebration with the TOTS. (Table of Talent Sisters) Lynne was out of town, but missed.
We met at a Tender Smokehouse in Celina, and the waiter was smart to put us back in the back corner because we make a mess and make a lot of noise.
So many awesome gifts, great food, and wonderful longtime friendships.
“The holidays are always a special time with family and friends. I have been blessed to have the best of both.”
“Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot.”
~Hausa Proverb
***************
I wake up every morning and think of all the people and things in my life that I am thankful for. But, on Thanksgiving, we set aside a National day on the calendar to celebrate. We should celebrate every day. Just not a good idea to eat like there’s no tomorrow every day. 🤦♀️
Today, I was invited to spend Thanksgiving with my friend Helene and her family. We are a lot and laughed a lot and the TV was on with a strange sporting game where a bunch of big men with little tight pants, wearing helmets all chase one guy with an almond shaped ball. They all jump on top of one another until a zebra man comes and blows a whistle. Then they stop and do it all over again. Weird game!
Thank you Helene, Mark, and Angie for a lovely Thanksgiving. Helene made chicken enchiladas and Spanish rice. Mark and Angie made a family recipe of blueberry crumble cake.I brought my first ever attempt at a turkey shaped cheese and cracker snack tray. I think it turned out cute for a first try.
It was a good day, even though it’s been raining for two solid days. I couldn’t even go out for a stroll to walk some of this off.
“Under trees, the urban dweller might restore his troubled soul and find the blessing of a creative pause.”~ Walter Gropius
****************
This morning, I woke up thankful that no alarm would summon me after going to bed quite late, and my pesky attic visitor, Mr. Mickey Mouse, did a little tap dancing routine during the wee hours of the night, 🤦♀️
The only thing on my calendar was a meeting at church at 2pm for the Connection Desk and Welcome Committee. I was going to go early and do some sketching in the sanctuary, but I received a few phone calls that impeded my progress. But, I did have 5 minutes to go to Adoration, light a candle, stop at the poor box, and get to the meeting by 2.
I am so grateful for the awesome people, volunteers, and friends that I’ve made at St. Gabriel the Archangel. Everyone is so giving and loving. The parish is growing by leaps and bounds, and it was reported that we are getting interest from around 40 new families a month. Woa! Our meeting was to see how volunteers can help share information to visitors and prospective members. Personally, I just like to greet at the door on Sunday, share a smile, a hug, a compliment, and make people feel welcome.
After my meeting, I met Helene over by the chapel. She was there for Adoration, and we planned to stop at McD after. I am thankful for my dear friend Helene. Not only did she treat me to a big hot chocolate, but she came bearing gifts. She felt sorry for me and my goofy cough, cold, sneezing, etc. I’m feeling much better, about 80%, but a little back up is a good thing.
I am thankful for the amazing sunset that I was able to capture and enjoy on my evening walk. I haven’t been walking in a while, so it was great to bundle up and get out for a brisk walk.
Ah, my reward at the end of the day. A spectacular sunset of crimson and gold.
The day is not over, although it’s only 7pm and feels like midnight. I plan on having a nice dinner and going upstairs to my “crap room” (craft room) to paint a little. The holidays are soon approaching.
“I am thankful for the sun in the morning and the moon at night and everything that comes in between.”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
**************************
I can always think of positive things , but here’s my problem. Sometimes a million little negative things pop in my head during the course of a day. So, I have to come up with 3 million little positive things to think about to flip the script. 🤦♀️
Actually, I’m just kidding around. There are too many wonderful positive things in my life to be thankful for every day. Let’s see…
This morning, no alarm needed to wake me. I got to listen to my morning meditation, then went for a lovely morning walk. I ran into a neighbor who is always walking his two dogs. We just wave, but today, I introduced myself. I met Robert and his two dogs, little Bella and a big beautiful white lab, Bear.
After I got home and settled, I sipped some tea while I checked my emails and vitally important Facebook posts. Then, off to St. Gabriel for Adoration and to do some Sanctuary sketching. There are always special intentions and prayers in my heart.
Sharing is caring, so I always put something in the poor box.Always light a candle.I picked this stained glass window to work on today.Here’s the start. I’ll show you when it’s all finished and I use my Artisto app to add the vibrant colors. (I’m getting good, right?)
After two or more hours at church, off to Walmart to look for some Halloween Peeps and some groceries. Guess what? No Peeps! Bummer! But, I bought all kinds of other goodies, fruit, vegetables, and baking stuff. I was going to stop at the car wash, but NO! I knew I’d have to stop at Kroger, and hopefully they had some Peeps. So, I didn’t feel like the car wash, vacuum and all that stuff. (Kroger did, but no ghosts, just pumpkins and Frankenstein.)
Speaking of Kroger… another super awesome thing to be thankful for. I needed gas the other day, and I was playing Russian Gas Roulette, you know how you try not to fill up until you’re almost on empty and you have 30 c off a gallon with Kroger fuel points? Last month, I missed my window and gas went up 40c the day I filled up. Not this month! Yay!
Gas was $2.88 and I had 30c off a gallon with my fuel points. I paid $2.58. The next day it was $3.19. Wow! I was soooo excited.
On my way home, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up the Sanctuary sketch photos I had ordered. There were 135 prints. I have trouble getting the true digital size, so I thought I had it covered. Before I left the store, I checked the photos. Half were perfect and the other half, about 60 had the heads and feet cut off. The young man called the manager and she checked it out. It seems that if I edit a photo on my phone app, it sends a distorted image to Walgreens.
Miss Jessica not only refunded me the cost of the bad prints, but she took me over to the kiosk to try and figure out how to fix the problem for next time. Sweet lady! I’ll have to work on that.These are the ones that turned out ok.
So, there have been so. Amy things to be thankful for just today. And the day isn’t over. At 7:30, I’m going across the street to Miss Kathy’s front porch to drink wine and whine about our days and visit with the cats.
They are so cute.
If you managed to read this entire dissertation of being thankful, wow! You are awesome! I challenge you to think about all the things you are thankful for today. 🤗❤️
“The attitude of gratitude is the greatest platitude.”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
**************************
If you start each day with a grateful heart, you know it’s going to be a good day.
This morning, I was grateful that I had a little time before picking up my friend Helene to drive her to the airport. I’ve been battling some kind of funky head cold/flu kinda thing for a few days. I took some Tylenol, put an ice pack on my head until I became a “numb skull,” sipped some hot tea, and was on my way.
I am thankful that two COVID tests this week came out negative. Along those lines, I was happy that I can still get around with most of my usual activities, with a few rests and naps here and there. Also grateful for Musinex! Tylenol, Robitussin cough syrup, and green tea with ginger, lemon and honey. (Are you allowed to take them all at once? Asking for a sick friend.🤦♀️)
I was delighted that I got over to Helene’s on time and to the airport in record time without getting lost. (A miracle for me.)
Safe travels Helene. I didn’t fair so well on the way home trying to exit the airport. BUT, I am thankful that after an interesting scenic tour of all Terminal C and surrounding areas, and a quick stop and the North Remote parking facility, a fortuitous u-turn allowed me to get back onto the airport exit heading north. Once I was on 121 North, I new how to get home. 🤦♀️Kinda.
On my way home, I stopped at Kroger to pick up a few things for my Towne Creek Senior Art Class tomorrow.
I was thankful that brownie mixes were on sale for 99c. I go through a zillion of those. I also got hot dogs and buns, chips, pudding, Mac and cheese, and a few other items for our feast. Artists cannot live on brownies alone.
And here’s the cool part. The young man bagging the groceries, Brennan, said, “You look very beautiful today, Mam.” And I replied, “And you are looking very handsome today, Brennan.”I am thankful that everyone loves my famous “Peanut butter Bad Ass Brownies.” When you have a gift, ya gotta share.
I am grateful that the nasty headache I had this morning is just about gone, and that Miss Kathy across the street texted to confirm that we are going to have our “Winey Front Porch Thursday” later tonight. We sit on her front porch, drink wine and whine about stuff. Cool! It should be a nice cool evening.
Here’s Miss Kathy. We sit in the dark on her front porch with just a citronella candle (darn mosquitoes) and her cats roaming around and visiting. I have great neighbors.
My list could go on and on and on, because I have so much to be thankful for in just one day. I keep saying I’m going to write them all down just to see the list on paper, but who has that much time to write? Not me. I’m busy doing things that I’m thankful for.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”~ John F. Kennedy
***************
I just saw a post on my friend Sherri’s Facebook page that yesterday was World Gratitude Day. How did I miss that? It was t just a National day, it a “World Day.” Originally, I was going to post about Thankful Thursday, but now I can also catch up, a day late, on Gratitude Day.
I am grateful that I have great friends to remind me why I should be grateful, not just on September 21st, but EVERY day. I do wake up each day and end each day with a grateful heart. ❤️ I have an awesome family and wonderful friends.
An ancient tradition suggests that everyone should count at least one hundred blessings a day. It’s good advice since there are so many benefits.
Have you ever known a person who radiated positivity? They attract people from all around to them with their cheerful nature and friendly disposition. You, too, can be like that person whom you so admire. What does it take? You should cut the negativity out of your life and usher in more positive thinking.
To achieve this, you can start by taking inventory of all the reasons why you should be more grateful every day.
1 – Positive people have a happier view of life
When you count your blessings, you have a happier view of your life. You’re more grateful for what you have and for those around you. Researchers suggest that being thankful changes your brain for the better. It boosts your happiness and makes you a more positive person.
**********
So, the ancient tradition of counting a hundred blessings each day may be difficult for some, but, I bet if you sat down and started to write them all down, you’d come up with more than a hundred. I know I could. It doesn’t have to be a brand new list each day.
Here’s a good challenge for you… get a sheet of paper or open your notes or reminder app on your phone and start to list 100 people and things you are grateful for. Keep that list handy and once you have 100 items listed, start out each day re-reading that list. That should make you happier, healthier, and it changes your brain. I think we could all use a change.
I’m going to start my list today.
1. God
2. Joe
3. Matt…..
And the list goes on and on. At least 50 family members, hundreds of friends, hundreds of blessings. And of course, YOU. I might get up to 1,000.
“I am Very thankful for my wonderful family and my awesome friends who are like family. And, I got to pick the friends all by myself.“
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
***************************
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many interesting people as I walk through this winding mysterious glorious life on planet earth. When I was a kid, I always thought by 2001, A Space Odyssey would be a reality by now. But alas, we are still stuck on this planet and we are not driving in flying cars on Mars. Darn! But, that’s OK. I’ve met some interesting earthlings in my travels.
Last week, I finally got to meet up with Kathy Todryk. We have been Facebook friends for a while, but never ever met in person. We met for coffee on the Square at Layered. She is an Optavia health and wellness coach, and has helped many many people lose weight, get fit, and stay that way. She is very inspirational and spiritual, and loves to share her philosophy on wellness, both in body and spirit. It was the first, of I hope many more visits. Thank you Kathy.
After our coffee visit, I went over to the McKinney Visitor Center. I was hoping to find Beth Shumate busy at work behind her desk. Yay! She was there and came out to chat a few minutes. It’s good to catch up with what’s happening around McKinney, and Beth is the go to person for that.
If you need any McKinney or Texas type souvenirs, maps and brochures, Visit McKinney has all kinds of cool stuff. Especially cards and licensed gifts and souvenirs created by my good friend and awesome artist, Kim Guthrie.Today, I stopped over to visit Miss Joni, to take her a hand painted birthday gift. Happy birthday Joni. (More on how to paint the vase another time.) I’m not sure if it’s 29 or 30, something like that. I got the grand tour of their newly constructed and decorated backyard beach themed bar and living space. So cool. The neat part is Joni and Bob live just a few blocks away from me. So, when they’re out of town, I can sneak over and hang out in their back yard. Shhhh! Don’t tell them. Maybe they won’t find out. (Unless they notice a lot of liquor is missing.)
I am very thankful for these new friends and old friends. I am thankful for my beautiful family who keep me grounded and well loved. My blessings are many.
This afternoon, I went over to church for Adoration and a little Sanctuary sketching time. It’s so peaceful and inspirational. I had quite a few names and intentions to add to the prayer book. I lit my candle, thinking of my intentions, and worked on my sketching. (More on that another day.)
“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
Steve Maraboli
**************
I have so many things to be thankful for, and at the very top of my list is my amazing family. I am truly blessed. Everyone has been posting back to school photos, so I thought I’d get in on the action.
Look at that smile. I’m one proud grandma. Then, besides an awesome family, we received a beautiful downpour of rain this afternoon. I was so optimistic that I took an umbrella with me when I went out this morning. The power of positive thinking. That, and a lot of prayer and my Navajo rain dance. Singing in the rain!
“Rejoice in small things and they will continue to grow.” – Slaven Vuji
*************
This morning, I woke up at 7am after tossing around till after 1. When I looked at the time, instead of rolling over and going back to sleep, I said… “Get your lazy butt out of bed and go for your walk before it gets too hot!” I also convinced myself that I could always take a nap later… but that never happens.
After a couple of miles, I sat and rested on the bench by the pond, checking emails and texts and watching the dragonflies flutter around.
My plan was to get over to church for Adoration and Sanctuary Sketches early, so I could get home before my 1pm podcast with Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi. So, after my walk, instead of resting a while, I changed, grabbed my s,etching supplies and scooted over to St. Gabriel. Gosh! We have the most beautiful church.
I sat in the small chapel for a bit and worked on the crucifix that used to be in the old church. There were a handful of people in there, so it wasn’t that private. I had sketched this crucifix a long time ago, and it was my first sketch. I wasn’t that pleased with it, so I thought I’d try again. This is as far as I got because I wanted to go into the main Sanctuary and sketch some stained glass windows and be all alone. I grabbed by bag and walked into the gorgeous main church. I lit my candle and stopped at the poor box.Preliminary sketchAnother start. These will all take a lot of time to complete. I just wanted to get back into the swing after being absent for a while.
Because I didn’t sit and sketch for hours like I usually do, I had time to run over to Lowe’s to pick up a few more replacement sprinkler heads. I only have one extra left and it seems like they get run over and broken way too often. I want to be prepared.
I got home in time for Day 3 of my Time to Thrive 5 Day Challenge. I’m gonna be so smart, ready, and capable in no time. I’m already AMAZING. Now, to learn how to share it with the entire world.
I am very thankful for my many blessings, challenges, talents, and…
I am thankful for organic, gluten free sweet potato corn tortilla chips. They really are good.
Toni Andrukaitis 