Goodbye 2009 ~ with loving Memories

What an incredible year.... full of love, new found hopes, dreams coming true, celebrations, families uniting and with signs from above all the way through!

I am truly blessed with all that I have and even lost. I realize that even the things lost were something I had, and THAT is a blessing.

"Memories are cherished and the future is formed. One moment, one interaction at a time. What I do now and feel now and experience now is what forms what will be. With that, I just enjoy each moment so that what I feel and experience is GOOD and the GOOD continues on." ~Jeni

I am still filled with sorrow from the loss of my beautiful sister Mary, but am fuller on a faith that she is still with me.
I have so much to be grateful for and that is what I focus on..... Life lives on and I know that I'm in the drivers seat so I get to choose the road I take and how I'll take the bumps or potholes.

On that note, I welcome the New Year!

My Orb

I was just sitting here about to write something about saying good-bye to 2009 and welcoming the New year. As I was looking for a beautiful picture of a white dove inside the world that I had saved on my computer, I started roaming through some pictures I had uploaded from my camera recently. What i found made me decide to post this first:


I came across this picture of Nancy & me. We were at her daughter's baby shower 11-7-09. I almost passed right over the picture until i saw MY ORB.... there she is, just above my head to the right.

What a comfort to know that my angel(s) are always close to me. Loving me, protecting me, guiding me.....

The Secret Garden

"If you look the right way - you can see that the whole world is a garden!"

You will learn to laugh and learn to cry.....

This book was recommended by someone very special to me and it was the one of the sweetest stories I've read. Then I saw the movie and had to watch it! There is a valuable lessen in this movie. Live positively and keep the faith & hope!! Anything is possible when you live this way!

Merry Cardinal Christmas!!

i have been so busy it's not even funny :(... i haven't even done a 2009 Reflections - 2009 has been too busy. Stay tuned! i will have it & lots to say too.....

In the meantime, here are some Holiday pics I have a moment to share with you!

Love,

Jeni

Happy Birthday Dad

I would never forget you ~ I was so proud of you!!

I love you dad.................

Happy Birthday!!!

Mini "Mary"

I love this picture of Mary & Kelsey!

This picture was taken Christmas 2004 ~ Kelsey was Mary's lil minion. For years, she would shadow Mary's crazy schedule of waking up at 4:30 in the morning to run 6 miles and then do the entire tae bo kick boxing video. She didn't care how early it was...... she was with her mommy and loved her so much! She would go with her everywhere. Mary used to coach swimming and have to be at swim practice early early - Kelsey was always there. I know she cherishes those moments now more than she wishes she had to. I see so much of Mary in Kelsey.

My Sisters

I love my sisters so much..... this is a nice picture of Lisa & Mary!

I know Lisa treasures this picture too - it was the last picture taken with our sis.....

That is why I am posting it on "Memories to Cherish",

our timecapsule of moments to remember ~ Loving Mary Forever!

I wasn't there, but I wished I was. This picture was taken in San Antonio, just a few weeks before Mary left us - 3/22/08.

Random White Flower

This beautiful flower is one of the many luxury gifts I would receive at the Caledonia.... random gifts from residents or flowers they couldn't enjoy because they were traveling...... I will miss these joys. I was so blessed to be here. My heart and soul were here and the residents' goodbyes have touched my heart. I even got some tears....

Goodbye Caledonia

I got a promotion on Tuesday! With a new title and all :).... I will be taking care of two buildings now instead of one.... This is great news and sad news! The Caledonia team has become the #1 building in the region with 1% delinquency just last month! Caledonia has been my home since it opened in 2007. The staff and many (most) of the residents and i have become like a family. They were there for me when my sister died and when I got married. Two of the most emotional events in ones life. They have all been so wonderful. I will cherish my time with them all. I'm attaching a few photos to this blog showing the orbs all around the building. Pretty amazing!! This is also where my cardinal showed up on the sun terrace for me. This building has some amazing memories for me to cherish!

This is a professional move and I am happy for it, but am sad...... So sad!

The strange thing about this is that I woke up that morning and had a random thought "I wonder if they're going to transfer me", the thought disappeared as fast as it came.

Until I got to work!

Hmmmmm..........

What Really Matters

There are a lot of negative situations that happen to us in life....
That is life!
Then there a tiny little moments that mean the world to us.

That is what we should focus on!
Last night my dear husband gave me that kind of moment.

I was in the kitchen doing the things I do to prep for the morning....

I walk back into the living room and he says to me:

"You know Jen, we may not have all that we want yet or be exactly where we want to be, but we have each other and just listening to you prep the coffee pot and do you nightly chores makes me so happy!"

That's what really matters most!!!
That is what I will focus on ;)....

The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.
~Oprah Winfrey

My Mary

I cried today ~ mixing my tears with the shower drops ~ I was just so overwhelmed by the fact that my sister is gone and worse yet, her children don't have her anymore.

I just couldn't imagine..... it just doesn't seem fair. Mary was such a wonderful person and all she ever wanted to do was be a mommy. She'd said that for more years than I can remember. Mama Mary... that's what she called herself.

It just pains me to think that her little dreams she gave birth to don't get to experience their life with her. She treasured them and had so much love, encouragement and enthusiam to give them. I will love them extra as long as I live and remind them that they will always have me! That is my credo and will live it out the best I can. For me, for them, for Mary........... I believe love has wings and strings and there is a permanant line from Texas to New York!

Quote on the Power of Belief

What happens when you believe something with all your heart? Belief fuels enthusiasm, and determined enthusiasm explodes into passion. It fires our souls and lifts our spirits.~Mac Anderson

Thanksgiving Gratitude

I am grateful for the amazing signs I have received since my sister passed away. The cardinals, the orbs, the coincidental hopes coming to fruition.

I am grateful for surviving hell and living the blessed life that I do – through the eyes of experience!

I am grateful for what I’ve had and what I’ve lost. Through the loss I have gained a gratiude filled with wisdom.

I am grateful for my sincere desire and belief that true happiness is found in making a difference in peoples lives.

I am finally grateful for my faith that there is life after life on this earth.

I am forever grateful for the wonderful people in my life ~ you know who you are!!

Love~Jeni

Treasure your relationships not your possessions.
~Alfred j. D'angelo

Baby Chirps

Unbelievable... I just have to post about this right now! I have my shades up to put some cling on cardinals to my windows. Then, all of a sudden, I hear the chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp (the speedy cry of the baby cardinal I am now familiar with). I couldn't see it anywhere, but I heard it. I think it is over the bush. I just blogged yesterday wondering "where did my lil birds go"? Today they are reminding me that they are near.

Then I look over at the clock and guess what time is was: 11:11 a.m.

I'm telling you, ask for the signs and they will appear!!! But first ~ YOU MUST BELIEVE with the whole of your heart and YOU MUST BE AWARE of what the signs are. Feel it ~ love it ~ treasure it! But first of all - BELIEVE!!!

Orbs in NYC

This picture was taken with my i-phone camera. I was in a taxi and decided I'd take a picture of the beautiful cathedral church on 7th Ave. (I've had this idea of making a blog called: "Tex in the City" so I started taking some random cool pics I thought would be cool to write about -it's still in thought process, BTW).

Anyway, I was looking at this picture a little closer and what did I see? 3 little orbs who must have been following me. Can you spot them?

Orb amongst the Combs Cousins

August 2008, I went to Illinois for my Uncle Ricky's funeral .... Uncle Ricky was the youngest of my dad's siblings. Heart attack at 59~ same thing that took my dad. He lived 10 years longer than my dad. I loved my Uncle Ricky dearly. There was something in his personality I always related to. We all miss him.

This picture above was taken of all my cousins (minus a few) at my Uncle's wake. My Aunt Judy took it and mailed it to me. I was going through a pile of my cards recently and came across it. I had it on my fridge amongst other family pictures and my Journey poster. My family all lives so far away so I have to post new pictures up every now and then as my way of keeping them close.

Like quite a few pictures these days, an orb has attached itself to me in this one.

Maybe it's my Mary, after all, she is one of the cousins!

How comforting to know that I have an Angel with me, that I can see.

Great Quote

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. -- Mahatma Gandhi

Where did my birds go?

I've been wondering lately ~ Where did all my lil birds go?

I don't see them like I used to.... my cardinals show up here & there, but not like they used to. My Robin's are MIA! It's as if they were here for me during the year leading up to my wedding and since August, they haven't been around. The Robins would greet me in the morning as I left for work and they would fly in front of my car following me to the entrance of my apartments as I drove off. I would come home and find one at the tip of the roof of my building and I loved it - I loved them. It was as if they were there just for me. I do miss them.
A couple months ago there was a baby cardinal chirpping a million miles a minute and I'd peak out my window to see the mama bird picking up seeds off the ground and feeding them to the featherball baby. It was the sweetest sight I've ever seen.
Where did they all go?

This reminds me that we should never take advantage of these kind of precious gifts as we receive them, because they may not be here tomorrow. I did appreciate them, so for that I am grateful!
They were a gift. A gift from above. I was so lucky to have had them as I did!
Just as I had my dad & just as I had my sister.

Journey

I just love this poster....

I had it on my fridge for the longest time.

So much truth and love in this simple quote.

Broken Heart

Most days I am fine. I live life on the wholeness of the parts of my heart that are not broken.

Then there are moments in my day when the scars of my broken heart throb with sadness of the losses I have endured. They hurt and bring tears to my eyes.

It is then that I realize the important things in life. The people, not things! The moments!
~jeni

Missing Mary

This is such a sweet lil picture of Mary when she was about 4. We lived in Long Beach, California. I have some memoriable memories of those days.. being a big sis to my Mary. We played, we fought, we laughed, we supported each other and grew close as sisters. Here is where I practiced my beauty school talents on her and where we cuddled up during rainstorms and watched the lightning from the front door. We played hide and seek behind the large palm trees and snuck strawberries from our neighbors garden.... we built a fort on the lower bunk beds and played "operation" in the dark. We caught the bus to sunday school and ran after the donut and ice cream trucks daily. Good times with my lil shadow, my lil sis. She was always there.
What makes me sad is now she's not. I've been missing Mary ~ my biggest fan. A peice of me is missing, I feel it often. This weekend especially so. No particular reason - there never has to be. I guess if i think about it, it was this time 2 years ago that I saw my sister for the very last time. Yes, that must be it. 11-11-07 ~ I miss you Mary - I love you so much - I hope you knew, I hope you know!

My Moment

A moment with my dad and my sister!

Can you feel it?

A Wink

I met a new friend the other day...

One look at my necklace and they had to say:

"What a beautiful Star that is!"

Proudly I respond, "It's from my dear sister who has passed away"

A sincere smile came across their face and then they said:

"Then that compliment I gave you was a wink"

I believe it's her way of saying, "I am gone, but am here with you to stay!"

Bereavement Poem

My dear friend Laurie has lost her friend Ms. Angelle, so I would like to post this poem for her:

This is a famous bereavement poem written by Mary Frye.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

There have been many versions of it translated and re-written. I'm not sure which one this is, but I like this one because it seems the most real.

An Orb in comfort

I just love this picture.

Lisa and I with Mama, comforting each other in our loss. This picture was taken in Houston, during the days of Mary's wake & funeral. So sad we are.
I was looking at this picture a little more closely and can't believe I didn't see this before.... if you look on my arm, you will see a beautiful white orb attached to me. Mary is still with us! She is truly attached to my soul! In my heart and in my mind, she is still here!

A Doll to Cherish

August 1986, I was leaving my home in San Antonio to live with my dad in Houston. That meant that i was leaving my sister Mary my senior year and her freshman year of highschool.

It was a really tough time in my life. All the signs pointed in the direction of moving to Houston to live with my dad. I hated leaving my siblings and my mom, but it was a move I had to do. Mary was so distraught, her big sis was leaving. We had grown close in the last year. The day I was leaving, she gave me this lil doll. It represented Mary as she was about to become. A cheerleader for our highschool - Red and White were the colors and this doll truly reminded me of her. The note on the tag said it all: "I will miss you ..."

I treasure this lil doll - my Mary doll

Markelett the very special Monkey

"Markelett" is a very very special little Webkin Monkey...

I named him after Mary, Kelsey & Brett! Three very special people in my life.

I put their names together & Markelett is what I came up with :)!

When Mary died, I wanted to build a closeness with her kids - my neice & nephew, Kelsey & Brett! It was a must!!! Kelsey inherited her mommy's phone so I was able to talk to her all the time. At the time, she was very into the world of Webkin's ~ where they bought a Webkin animal and registered it in Webkin world on the internet. Kelsey & Brett were both very very into it. They had to feed their Webkins on the site and make them work, so they could buy things in the Webkin world for their Webkin house full of many rooms they. As you can tell, I joined this Webkin world to be close to the kids. I bought my Markelett!!!

Well, I've had Markelett for while now and since the kids have outgrown the world of Webkin, he has been quietly sitting on the topshelf of my bookcase., tucked away in the corner. Two times in the last week, Markelett has been found in the middle of the floor - it's only Chad, myself & Boo. It wasn't Chad and it wasn't me, so I have to imagine it's Boo - although he has not proven to be a stuffed animal kind of cat, the only other thought is surreal. I'd like to think it's Mary, letting me know she's near! Who knows.....

My 2nd Cousin - Jenn's dream

My dad's sister, Aunt Linda ~ her daughter Susan's (MY COUSIN) daughter Jenn had the most beautiful dream and shared it with me. I believe she was blessed by a visit of our loved one's who have passed on. Her analogy seems to make sense and be right on. How beautiful... they are still with us. Loving us and watching over us in all that we do.

The Dream:

"Jeni! I had a dream Thursday night and I immediately thought of you! In my dream I was at church looking out a window and I saw these 3 birds. One was a cardinal, the other two had cardinal bodies but their wings and tail were white and long. The three birds came to the window and in my dream I looked at the person next to me and said "That's my great-grandma" (one of the white ones). Then I turned to the window and said "Hi, Grandma". Then I walked to a door and these two boys were telling me that they had a brother at home, that he wasn't with them. They also had sisters at home too. And they didn't look exactly like them but in my mind they were Uncle Dave and Uncle Rick and the brother and sisters they were talking about were Uncle Bill, my Grandma, Aunt Loretta and Aunt Judy. Then I woke up. I don't know what it means, but I thought it was weird! I was thinking about the day Uncle Rick died when I was going to sleep so maybe that triggered it. Anyways, I thought of you!"

This is our Grandma Combs

Thank you Jenn for sharing your dream with me...... Love, your cousin Jeni

How Special a Signature Can Be

You never know how special one's signature is... until they are gone too quickly!

Who knew at the time, that the simple acts of scanning letters and faxing them to me at work (so I could read them quicker than waiting until I got home) would turn out to be such treasures!
Not me!!! But I know now....

I was looking up a document on my computer for work the other night when I came across a folder full of "faxed letters from Mary" that Chad had sent to me almost everyday over 2 years ago. At that time, those letters were special and I came to crave them each day! So much so that I couldn't wait to come home for them so Chad would get them to me by means of our technology....
I have hundreds of letters and I treasure them more than I can say.
Her handwriting is a precious time capsule for me. It's what's between the lines that bring tears to my eyes, straight from my heart!


Here I am able to capture a peice of it and share it with you:

Incredible Day of Signs

I had the most incredible day today. It started out with a resident telling me that the rep from the bank we promote told him to tell me that I was #1. I've never met this rep before, only spoke on the phone. Weird, but a nice surprise... Mary used to write that to me in letters all the time!

I had a wonderful surprise today... I work at a hi-rise in NYC on the west side, close to the water.... There are no real "trees" around that would warrant a cardinal to live in. Granted, on the 10th floor of my building we have an outdoor terrace with some planted trees, but they are new and very high in the sky.
Today I was up on the terrace inspecting that all was in order and what did I see?? A bright red cardinal sitting in a tree.... I was stopped dead in my tracks with my hand to my cheek and my mouth a gasp! I couldn't believe my eyes! He was so red and so bright just staring at me. I must have stood there looking silly as can be. I didn't care, I felt like I was in a dream. Then the tinest little gray & white bird flew right next to him. He was the cutest lil thing I've ever seen.
The cardinal flew to the next tree with the lil bird on it's tail...
Well, not literally, but very close. Then they flew together to the next tree and let me get as close as a foot away. I stood there as long as I could. I was so excited I almost couldn't contain myself, yet upset that I didn't have my camera! I felt a peace come over me and my heart filled with love!

I had a visit today - a message from above! I am so blessed!

I reluctantly left the terrace, but returned with my camera... No sign of red! No where! Except as a memory in my head!

My day ended with a compliment from a co-worker saying "you rock" ~because of a job I did well done! Mary used to tell me that too all the time!

So many signs all in one day.... I'm so excited my head is about to burst... What can I say?!?!

a Credo for Life

desiderata - by max ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Desiderata is Latin and means 'things that are yearned for', which in the context of the poem more closely means 'essential things'. I love this poem.... I hope you enjoy it!

Sweet Mary

I remember you when you were just two, I remember you Mary....

My sweet sister, my dear friend. I cried a few tears today for you.... I just miss you so much! I hate that you had pain in your life and you weren't able to live the life you so deserved. Things just don't make sense in this life on earth.... I can only trust that it all happens for a reason and we will all be together again. I do believe that, but sometimes the grief and loss is just so strong. My throat tightens up and eyes flood with tears with only sweet thoughts & endearing memories of you Mary!!

I'm just so happy to have had you in my life. What a difference you made.

I know you are still with me...!

Campin Combs Kids

Fun memories... to cherish:

Dad would come in town and take us camping. Outdoor movies, pool playtime, campground arcade, canoe's, playground with swings, monkey bars, slides and the spin around! There was a lake where we could chase & feed the ducks. But, first we would build the tent. It was always a challenge since dad was the only adult and the tent was tall. Someone had to hold the tall part up while another had to hold the stakes in place and hammer them into the hard ground. Then we had to blow up the air mattresses, physically... back in the "day", we didn't have self pumpers. These were fun times. We just loved being with our dad, it didn't matter where.

KOA campgrounds with dad!

A New Bird

What an incredible gift ~ a new bird spotted on my patio this season. This is the Oriole... a bird of the North. Not sure why its on my patio now, but I will enjoy him. They are attracted to nector and berries and I only have seeds.

I love my birds: Cardinals, Robins, House finches, Blue Jay's, Red Winged Black Birds, Mockingbird's and now the Oriole....

The Book Connection

You wanna hear something fun?

I was in the bookstore a couple weeks ago to get the book "Shantaram" (which is very good by the way) and went roaming through the spiritual section... I came across a book I have been really interested in that someone had recommended a couple (or few) years ago, but I didn't buy (again!). A part of me kept saying "Get it!" But I wouldn't for fear I'd waste another $20 bucks on a book of wisdom that I already know (ha!).

Well, someone came by my office the other day with a little gift for me as a belated "wedding/shower kind of gift" & it was that book!!!
Crazy huh?

It's "The Four Agreements" by don miguel ruiz... Plus another lil book of his: "The Mastery of Love"!

It just blows my mind how the universe works for me these dayz...

Mary's lil Brett

I just had to post this picture of Mary's lil Brett. I know if she was with us, she would be loving this moment with all her heart. Admiring her son's sweetness with our neice Haley at the wedding. They were so sweet together. Instant friends. What a moment! My heart melts each time I look at this picture.

I wonder if Lisa & i were thinking the same thing,

"How lucky we are to have Mary's lil legacies"!

Through them, Mary will always be with us!

Psalm 34:17-18

My sweet sweet lil sis Lisa and her wonderful husband Victor had bought Chad & I a beautiful Bible as a sweet weeding gift! Engraved with our names as one - the first item I received with my name as a wife! So encouraging they are with keeping us connected with the Word!


Well, sneaky lil sis, she knows I will read in my own time and doesn't like to push ~ but she will mention to me a verse to read - one that she thinks is good. Respectfully, I open the Book and find the verse she recommended.

I really liked this one and wanted to share it with you:


Psalms 34: 17-18:

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Thank you sweet sis for all that you are and all that you do! I hope you know how very much I love you!!!

A Proverb

Experience is not always the kindest of teachers, but it is always the best! -Spanish proverb

A Cup of Chirp

Two days in a row a couple weeks ago... I had a hard time waking up. Then I got some help from a red lil friend... I heard out my window, "chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp...."! The chirping would not stop until I got out of bed. I peaked out my window & saw a glimpse of red, there she was, my wake up call staring at my sleepy head! It brought a smile to my face and off to the shower I went. With the chirp on my mind, out the window I looked. Nothing - that was it! As I was about to leave I decided to take another look, nothing - my wake up chirp was it! Nice way to start my day. A chirp & a smile with a lil splash of red.

Yup, it happened again the next day.... chirp chirp chirping away. My Cardinal alarm clock started my day!

Bonus: I hadn't seen my Robin(s) lately and had been wondering about them. Then, the same day as my 2nd day with my wake up cardinal call, I came home to see my Red Robin at the top of my roof welcoming me home.

Bittersweet Surprises

Chad & I have been cleaning out our closets and drawers today... trying to "clean house"! There was a stack of cards that he had from me tucked away in the nightstand drawer. There were ALOT. I didn't realize how many & how much I had given to him. They dated all the way back to 2000. Well, mixed in there was a card to him from Mary - dated 8/07. It was a card for his Birthday. I had already spent 20 minutes looking at all the emotional cards I had given him, bringing back many memories. Finding that card from Mary and reading her words choked my heart and brought tears. It also made me realize that it really hasn't been very long since she was here. 2007! ! ! It's only been a year and a half.
So thoughtful and so sweet she was. I miss her with all my heart! I wish I could go back in time and help her from the start. I know the start now, I see it clearly. If only I knew what I know now I would do things differently. I had to continue my cleaning up because in the midst of it all, a mess was made. The last box I had was a box of Holiday things. "Out with the old and time for some new" - that's what I was thinking as I made a pile for garbage and a pile for keeps. Then I came across an ornament (2) that she had sent to Chad & I the year we got back together after a lil break ~ 2004. She was so happy for us she sent us the sweetest Christmas ornaments to celebrate us! So thoughtful, so loving, so incredible she was.

A Jeni Gem of Wisdom

"It is only with time, experiences and knowledge from listening that one becomes wise. Some can live a full lifetime without wisdom because they don't accept, reflect or listen." ~Jeni

Answered Hopes

What a stressful week I've had! Everyday working late & then continued working from home til midnite Monday - Wednesday!! Thursday was non stop, full of problems & solutions. I wanted to make my normal train home Thursday night especially bad. Two reasons: 1.) I had a promise to keep to my cat Boo 2.) plus Chad had promised me my favorite dinner too. But I was 10 minutes behind schedule and still had to buy my monthy train ticket. Lines are always long on the 1st of the month! I pretty much wrote it off that I would or could make that train & travelled to the station in my usual quick but not too quick pace. I refused to get upset, because there was nothing I could do. I had a long enough day, I didn't want to end it with a frown.

My luck started at the subway... I had just walked down the steps to the track as they were closing the doors.... then, As if I had no control of my body's motions, I unconciously leaned forward putting my energy towards the door. The conductor re-opened the door & said "Hurry - get on". I whisked off the subway platform, onto the train & was able to whisper a quick thank you to the lady conductor who had started to save my day!

I got to Penn station and looked up at the schedule boards that have the train times & track numbers. I saw mine was still on the board even though I was one minute behind. I thought that was strange that my train was still on the board and realized it must be a little delayed. Then I thought, "Oh well, probably won't be delayed enough for me - I've got to get my ticket and look at the lines!".

So I strolled over to one of the lines at the ticket booth and noticed that my train I wanted WAS delayed. I thought to myself without much hope (so I wouldn't let myself get let down), "Maybe, just maybe I will make my train" -Well, not only did I make my train, but I got a seat on the overstuffed train car!!

I sat on the train in amazement and started to mentally relax. I had a rough week already and I thought my late nights were over. Then I realized I had a report to turn in on Friday of all the pets in our building & that was tomorrow... Oh boy, I hadn't even touched that one!!!
I yi yi! I almost kissed my relaxing night away, then decided to email the IT guy who knows our accounting system, just hoping, praying for a positive answer I was about to ask - "Do you know if there is a report in our system that prints out all the pets in our building?". He said, "I just made the report today & was going to send out tomorrow!". Yay!!!! - Abosolutely amazing!! That was the answer I was only hoping he'd have - He just saved me from another long night.

My promise to Boo:

Boo had been out of wet food for almost a week. Every morning and night he curls up in a ball by the refrigerator waiting for me to open his treat. It's been brutal not having it for him for so many days, so that is why I made my promise - Thursday was the day! Lucky me! Now I can keep my promise to Boo & enjoy my husbands promise to me!

We all are winners in this triangle of promises!