I don’t make it a habit to post twice in one day. However, I had to share something with you that just happened an hour ago. If you’ve read the earlier October 1st post, you know we were dealing with a leak in the kitchen yesterday caused by a combination of too many leaves in the gutters and torrential rains. Tending to that took a few hours. Thank goodness we were home.
I’m going to be honest. I had an argument with my father last night that kept me awake for about 3 hours in the middle of the night. The worries about my mother continue. I have a dog (Riley) who seems to have lost control and periodically poops in the house. This morning, after keeping him outside for a long time, I relented, let him in and he promptly pooped on the floor. We are dealing, as are many of you, with financial worries. This morning, I sat down and cried my heart out for a while. I just needed that release.
No sooner had I done that than I heard the toot of our mail carrier’s horn. That means a package has been left down at the mailbox.
The box was from my dear friend, Donna of An Enchanted Cottage. Donna is one of the first bloggers I was privileged to meet and we have been friends ever since. She is a lovely person with a heart of gold. She also loves all animals, as I do and we bonded initially because of that shared love. She also has a beautiful home. Donna’s father is fragile, so we have that worry in common, as well.
I found this inside the box. Donna had enclosed a card, which couldn’t have been more perfect.
If you read Donna’s blog, you know that she has a cat. She also has chipmunks and a squirrel named Sammy that hang out on her property. She is the Chipmunk/Squirrel Whisperer. Look what I found:
Beautiful notecards with gorgeous cherubs. I’ve written many times about my love of cherubs. My beloved cherub painting is hanging on the wall of our bedroom. These are beautiful, aren’t they? There was one more package, taped so tightly that I must admit I had no idea what it was.
Yes, I gasped. Two beautiful saucers in the Spode Claudia pattern! I mentioned this pattern at the very end of a previous blog post – my friend Jill had alerted me to its existence. I thought it looked like a perfect pattern to collect. Someday. I kept the photo Jill sent me on the desktop of my laptop. Every once in a while I would look at it. I don’t know where Donna found these, but I’m here to tell you they are beautiful. Even my husband remarked on how lovely they are.
Beautiful crazing. And I love that mark – “Spode’s Claudia.” I didn’t know that Spode loved me so much!
This gift, arriving out of the blue, for no reason other than my friend knows I’m having a hard time right now, was perfectly timed. As if on cue. I am so touched and grateful. Thank you, dear friend. I am blessed.
God always sends angels to lift us up when we’ve hit the ground hard. Our friends are those angels who lift us back up again. Beautiful gifts from a kind and loving friend. Have a beautiful, blessed day! :) Tammy
Awww, I am so sorry you are having a hard time of it now! You are in my thoughts!!
What a sweet friend. Love the Spode Claudia pattern. I collect Spode (Mansard and it’s variations). I’ve never seen the Claudia pattern before, it’s very pretty.
I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time now. You’re (and your mom) in my thoughts.
xo
~Molly
A perfect offering of love at just the right time. Moments like that are certainly divine. Hope that the world is looking brighter now in spite of the clouds…will be praying ;)
{p.s. I love the crazing too!}
Oh Claudia Sweetie…
What a beautiful box of love from your very own angel, just when you needed it most.
Sweetie, I am so sorry you are going through so many things right now, your poor Riley. Is it stubborness or age sweet friend? I will be praying about it for you. Been there with age and it is not an easy decision.
Now Claudia sweetie, I want to share something with you, call your sweet Daddy up and make amends honey. Life is to darn short. Don’t let the sun set and rise that you haven’t settled something. Sweetie that is why you are so tired today.
Finances, boy that is enough to make us all sit and cry. Times are only going to get tougher. Just know that you are so loved here in blogland sweetie and I am always here if you need someone to talk to or someone to listen to you. Give me a holler any time.
I am so thrilled that your angel arrived just when you needed her most. God knows when we need them, and sends them pronto. Your gifts are so wonderful sweetie, and I adore those Spode Claudia plates. What a treasure for sure.
I am sending you so many hugs sweetie and so much love. Please keep an eye on those gutters. Wish we would get some rain. Sadly still triple digit temps. It was 107 yesterday.
All my love sweetie, Sherry
Hi Claudia~
Our lives are mirroring each other, yep in many ways. I am sending bloggy love to you and want you to know that it will be ok. All these annoyances will pass and life will return to normal. Im living proof and could write volumes about it, really. Stay strong my dear, cry if you want and then have a nice big slice of chocolate cake. If you were here I would make you laugh till your cake came out your nose;)
Hi Claudia,
Election time is next month….let’s all make a difference and get some people in office that actually care about the American citizen.
We, too, are suffering and I seeming have a regularly scheduled meltdown over all that has happened to us. I do feel your pain and anguish.
I am confident that times WILL improve and middle America can prosper once again. I just can’t accept “the condition of the condition” in our country. I has to change and that is going to take cleaning house in Washington. {Both Parties…everyone, everywhere}
So sorry…I always wind up on my soapbox when I visit another soul that is suffering financially…we are used to more! I’m not settling for less either. If I were a thirty year old I’d think different…the lost money could be recovered before retirement…for us at this age, there are not enough years left to ever recover what we’ve lost. So we are following our creative spirits to hopefully generate some income.
My blog will be changing a bit due to the need to sell stuff that I can make or design. It’s a love of mine anyway but now it’s also become a necessity.
I do hope your furbaby can improve although this just seems to be a common issue as they age. Miss Morgan and I send lots of furbaby hugs and kisses.
I also can relate to the issues with your mom and the miseries with your dad. That area just seems to get harder for me. I have had to detach myself in that area to keep my sanity. It truly sucks “your” life energy. You need self care and there’s nothing at all wrong with that sweet girl. We must stay strong no matter what.
The best you can do is let them know that you love them and let destiny take its course.
I am so happy over the present you received. I know how that can lift your spirits and sooth your soul.
I care..I’m always close by if/when you want to talk.
And again…I’ve written a WHOLE chapter. :0)
(((((hugs & love)))))
Stephanie ♥
Dear Claudia, I am so so sorry that things are rough for you right now!!! What a wonderful and caring friends you have, I am sure you deserve them. You are in my thoughts.
The blogging community is indeed a powerful and loving force. I’m so glad you received this just when you needed it. I know you’re under a lot of stress. Hugs to you, always.
Brenda
everyone loves claudia
be good to yourself and enjoy the pretty weekend with don, ‘kay? cupcakes on new china, perhaps?
xo
elyse
Hi Claudia,
I’m so sorry that you are going through such a difficult time.
I’m so glad that your dear, sweet and thoughtful friend cheered you up and made you smile with her kindness.
Blessings.
hugs
Sissie
Claudia,
One of the reasons I connected to your blog is because of your take on life, love of animals and love for your parents.
You are in such a difficult time right now and I’m sorry it’s compounded by financial worries.
As well as being geographically far from your parents-more stress.
Your poor pooch is adding to all of this stress, I’m so sorry. Sweet dog, please be okay. They are our comfort, yet sometimes we have to comfort them.
I well remember this stress and thinking it would never end. Financial. Really hard. Pets not doing well. Extremely hard. Parents failing. The worst. But it does eventually get resolved.
I am so glad you received such a wonderful surprise in the mail today. Those are the things that keep us going. You are stronger than you think and you will be surprised that this is something you will get through and learn from.
I’m with you in spirit, Claudia. Ann
You can only do what you can do at any moment in time and you are doing the best you can.
I am sorry that you are having ruff times all around. We all just have to keep praying for each other and you are on the top of my list tonight. I am so glad I ran across your blog tonight to meet such a wonderful person. I can feel your sorrow and will pray that you have peace and comfort. I am glad that your friend sent you something when you needed it. That is the good parts of life isn’t it. I am a follower now and will come and check on you from time to time to see whats up with you. I am glad you got the gutters done. What a pain huh ?
Come to my blog along with your friends and enter my blog contest. It has started off with a pillow and will get things added all month. I will be waiting for you. LOL
Kath’ at http://www.lilbitoldlilbitnew.blogspot.com
What a wonderful thing for your friend to do. The cat and squirrel card is so cute.
hi claudia,
you really do have amazing readers here. hope all cheers up soon at MHC.
~janet
Oh, they are gorgeous! Just what you needed!
m ^..^
Oh what a sweet gift and just what you needed. I am dealing with my mother, my teenage son and the puppy who thinks he should pee everywhere. A good cry sounds like something I need to do too!!
You know that happened to me today too! I have had a very stressful week, just too much of everything and I came to a sweet little box of pink goodies picked just for me. I received a package from a blog friend the day after Casey died too! How do we know when we need to send something that it will mean so much to the one on the other end. This is a great group of lovely people we are privileged to be in ;) I am glad you had your cry and your smile today! Now on to coping! Sorry about Riley. I was so hoping he was better! If it makes you feel better Molly potties in the house all the time, just for fun (ugghh!) :) It happens to the best of us.
Hugs, Lisa
sweet and loving thoughts for you. so sorry things are hard for you right now. crying and sharing is an important part of moving forward. you have lots and lots of friends who really really care about you and i hope you know you can count me as a concerned friend. hugs, cory/dogwood
Claudia, things can get so overwhelming, and a good cry can be therapeutic… It is so lovely that a sweet act of kindness and generosity came your way when you needed it most! Please know that there are many of us out here who care…XO
Oh my goodness, Claudia. It’s just what you needed indeed and your guardian angel (Donna) knew it! That card is adorable and the china so very thoughtful… it’s all thoughtful and perfect. What a lovely friend, I shall have to go pay her visit this weekend.
Aww… tell Riley it’s alright, Zeke has problems too sometimes but it’s okay, we’re all here to love one another in the short time we have on this Earth. You’re in my thoughts & tons of others too.
I am so glad your day turned around thanks to a very sweet soul!
xo~Tracie
Spode Claudia is just as beautiful as you are. Dad is fine, Mom is doing a bit better. Your ceiling is behaving and Fall is on the way to your house. Your babies are happy and Don is wonderful. Plus the Rays are in the playoffs. All in all, not bad.
Love you,
M
Well Claudia, please don’t feel alone in all of this. Seems we’re all struggling right now with more than a few worries. I just brought my Dad home yesterday from yet another surgery. Finances have us pretty much strung out too… but atleast This Old House has not sprung a leak.. yet. HOwever, I could tell you a story about the flies.
I’m sorry things are difficult right now. I understand much of what you are going through, Claudia.
How sweet of Donna to brighten you day! I do not know her, but will pop over for a little bloggy visit.
Take care, know you are not alone in all this, and feel the hugs coming your way, K?
~Zuzu
What a wonderful surprise for you!
Aren’t friends great! I love that she sent you the spode pattern named “after you”.
So happy for you and thanks for sharing the pictures, seeing kindness of friendship brightens everyones day thanks for sharing that happiness!
Sherry
What perfect timing for her sweet gift! Just when you needed some lifting up. I’m sorry your having such a rought time of it. I can totally relate. Although our Maxie isn’t pooping he is starting to exhibit some strange behaviors and it’s hard to watch.
I love those Spode Claudia dishes! I wonder if they have some Spode Manuela? :)
Manuela
That’s what is so amazing about blogging. The friends it brings together. May you have a blessed day.
((Squeel!!!)) Your Spode Claudia collection has begun! I’m so excited for you. Such a nice surprise during trying times.
I’ve been out of town for about a week, so I’m slowly but surely getting caught up on life in bloglandia. I couldn’t wait to stop by MHC. :)
Hugs,
Jill