3 February | March 2017
PinPointe Magazine
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4 May | June 2022
PinPointe Magazine
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PinPointe Magazine
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Contents ON THE COVER: Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
Serving the Community Coles Crossing
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11 8 Reflections of Momma 11 Three Cheers For Teachers! 14 Best of Cy-Fair: Misfit Outpost 15 If You’re Feeling Out, You’re In
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PinPointe Magazine
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Reflections of Momma
PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
By Metta Marie Archilla
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hyllis Evelyn Mooney-Zigenbein. Mom. Words cannot express the gratefulness and appreciation I feel for you! Neither can I define the thanks I give you for everything you have done for me. You have always been there for me, through right and wrong, and have shown me the way. You have always pushed me to be the best that I could be and man, oh man, I know I was a hyper handful! You were my greatest influence, an influence that will stay with me always.
Mom is my guiding light. She is the beacon in the lighthouse, calling me home always. Momma taught me that kindness was necessary and helping others was just what we do, daily. She raised me to be strong and independent. But no matter what, I will always be her little girl. I will always need my mom. I thank her for the lessons she taught me and those she teaches me still at a frail 94. Momma taught me to smile in the face of hardship and to believe in myself, no matter what anyone says. I thank her for always making me feel unconditionally loved and appreciated and for instilling in me a sense of worth that I am good enough in the eyes of the Lord, that I do matter. As Momma struggles with this final grace in her life as late-stage Dementia takes hold, she still manages to laugh and smile through my stupid jokes and crazy little stories. What a remarkable woman to fight her last and still make me feel beautiful through gentle reminders that the world isn’t ending even, when I think it is. But mostly, I thank her for being the most wonderful mother imaginable, I can’t ever be the Mom I felt she was to that scared inner child I was growing up, but I sure do hope to one day become half the woman she continues to be: strong, beautiful, and intelligent. Thank you, Momma for loving Ashlynn, your “Grandcub,” and for co-parenting this young lady who is learning to make her own way in this big bad world. You have taught her as you did me, to buckle up and dig in, because life ain’t fair much of the time. But for your gentle hand helping to carve her tender and beautiful heart, thank you HUGE for THAT.
8 May | June 2022
Day and night, Momma taught me patience, (although I’m still working on that). At bedtime, she taught me how to pray. Momma would sing children’s songs to me until I would fall
asleep. I thank her for loving me when I didn’t feel lovable. I was to her, and THAT mattered. Now, as the tide turns and her mind betrays her body, I am blessed to be able to sing my mom to sleep every night. As I take off her tiny slippers and socks, she lays her glasses carefully on the nightstand beside her, and I tuck her in with our favorite lullaby, “Jesus Loves Me.” Yes, her meds help suppress the visions that severe Sundowners shower upon her, but my voice, the melody, the security of knowing God lives and we are safe, puts Momma to sleep, and for that, I’m grateful. Great trials are lived throughout our lives. People and instances test our character to mold and form us into better and braver people. Caring for my mom in this final phase of her life is a blessed gift; it teaches me patience, understanding, and love as I care for her, a child regressing without the hope of what once was. In this, I am happy. She chose me 54 years ago; I choose her now. I choose to support her with the safety of my presence as she has provided me with a safe haven for all of my life. Each one of us has an “expiration date.” Experts have determined Mom’s, but I say only the Lord knows the day and the hour. Our family lives every single day as Mother’s Day because any day could be her last. Momma, I love you more than you can possibly imagine, but still, I know you have loved me so much more. Thank you for my life. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being my mom! Happy Mother’s Day, Momma.
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Momma with Ashlynn
27200 Hwy 290 Cypress Tx 77433 PinPointe Magazine
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by Liz Arrington
o you remember your favorite teacher? What grade were you in? What do you remember about them? What did they do that made them your favorite? How has that influenced the person you are today? The influence of a great teacher truly lasts a lifetime. I have many vivid memories of exceptional teachers I had growing up. As a parent- I am grateful for so many dedicated teachers who have made an impact in our lives. I wish I could individually recognize the educators at our Cy-Fair ISD schools who have gone above and beyond to nurture my boys’ love of learning, passion for science, and appreciation for the arts and music. Weaving their dreams for the future into their education and providing the perfect balance of unconditional love and persistent encouragement. If you are a teacher who is reading this right now, please know how incredibly valuable you are. It’s about that time of year for Teacher Appreciation weeks. A chance for administrators and parents to shower our educators with well-deserved gifts, special meals, coffee delivery, and sweet treats. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Teacher Appreciation week takes place during the most difficult part of the year. Those final warm spring months of a loooong school year with testing, year-end programs and events on top of stir-crazy kids who are ready for a break! There are so many creative and thoughtful ways to show your appreciation for teachers. Gifts are always very nicepersonalized cookies, coffee gift cards, fun supplies for the classroom like Sharpies or pretty Post It Notes, mini charcuterie boxes and even bottles of wine! But teacher appreciation doesn’t have to be costly, and it doesn’t have to be reserved for one week of the year. In fact, it shouldn’t be! Here are some specific ways you can show your appreciation for teachers- year round: ● Donate classroom supplies throughout the school year, not just at the beginning ● Assume your teacher has your child’s best interest in mind ● Tell them when they do something awesome! Share with them ways that your child is showing what they’ve learned at home, or a lesson your child was excited about.
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● Respect their hours and try to email within those hours, be patient in waiting for a response. ● Email the principal and brag on your child’s teacher. ● Provide context, not excuses. If a teacher is reporting an issue with your child, help the teacher by providing information that supports understanding and solutions. ● Help where you can, whether it’s volunteering for field trip duty, sharpening pencils or cutting out shapes! Not sure how to help? Just ask! ● Recognize ALL teachers and support staff. Music, Art, PE, Librarians, paraprofessionals, there is likely a whole team of passionate educators working with your child! ● Be informed about the workings of the school and the district. Become familiar with how decisions are made, who is in charge, and what their qualifications are. ● Get involved! Local non-partisan groups, such as the CyFair Civic Alliance, are an excellent resource to engage, get information, and connect with other people in our community. Above all- teachers need and deserve to feel supported by their community. They need to be recognized and compensated for their gifts and abilities. They need involved parents who are advocating for and with them. These past few years have been impossibly hard on educators… on all of us. As a community, we can help by approaching teachers with compassion and true appreciation for the critical role they play in shaping our next generation, trusting in their expertise, and giving them the credit that they have earned. Let’s start today- three cheers for teachers!!! We love you! Liz Arrington combines her background as a professional children’s therapist with her love of music to provide early childhood music and movement classes to families of Cypress. Outdoor, Weekday, and Saturday classes available. See more at www.songfulbeginnings.com
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12 May | June 2022
Misfit Outpost
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The Best of Cy-Fair P L AC E S TO E AT
isfit Outpost joined the Cypress community over Labor Day weekend in 2021 with a music-filled weekend and great craft beer! This new local favorite combines indoor and outdoor space, live music, kids play area, unique burgers and BBQ, and highly regarded beer offerings from Fortress and Misfit labels. The ownership team, comprised of local residents Dion Billard, John O’Hara, Juan Sanchez, and Kevin Smith Jr, all shared a vision to bring family friendly and pet friendly brewery atmosphere to their backyard. They acquired a well-known site on Cypress Rosehill Road that had served as ‘The Shack’ for over a decade as a staple in the creative burger world. After some renovations and rebranding, the vision came to life with immediate positive feedback.
Recently the menu has taken an uptick with the addition of renowned pit master, James McFarland, of Nomad BBQ taking the helm in the kitchen. In addition to a la carte BBQ offerings, creative burgers, and kids menu, Misfit now also offers Sunday brunch at 10am with delicious treats and mimosas! Tucked behind the non-descript entrance, guests walk to the back patio surprised by gorgeous trees, shaded cover, and perfect stage for a revolving door of talented musicians and open mic events. Whether you just want a quick burger and beer or want to let the kids play for the whole afternoon, Misfit is the welcoming place to spend your weekends.
14 May | June 2022
The Hot Bird
Misfit Outpost 16602 Cypress Rosehill Rd. • Cypress, TX 77429 (281) 256-1575 • www.misfitoutpost.com
Connecting With Women In Our Community In a Non-MLM* Way *Multi-Level Marketing
By Allison Okuneye How do we find ways to connect with other women in our community? How do we have authentic adult relationships as adults? I know I am not the only woman who has been invited to a "girls night" in a new social circle and got super excited. Finally! New city, and potential for new friends, I am ALL about that life! You get all dressed up and are ready for some adult time, and once you get there you realize, this is NOT what you thought it was going to be. You have been bamboozled. Sign up for this, buy these products, join our girl gang! Yikes. This is NOT the community and connection I had hoped for. I was hoping for a community without expectations and sales goals.
Join The Outer Circle. Of course I am going to tell you to connect with us! Find a group where you can feel free to be your authentic self, share your life experiences (the good and bad) and laugh. Laughing is key. I am obviously going to suggest The Outer Circle which is our new women's group here in Cypress, but no pressure! Find a local group that you feel will allow you to be exactly who you are and get connected! Have confidence in knowing that this connection thing isn't easy for any of us! But it is absolutely crucial for all of us!
So now what? How do we connect with other women and find our circle? Whether you are new to a city or are born and raised, this is no easy task.
Be intentional. If connection is what you want, you have to look for ways to find it! Go out of your way to have conversations, meet new people when you can, make eye contact, ask questions and be engaged!
Initiate Conversation. No one wants to be the initiator, so then we are left with no conversations! Don't be afraid to strike up the convo first!
Try Something New. If you want new friendships you have to do things you haven't done before. If you are used to hiding in a corner in social settings, don't! If you wait for others to approach you, DON'T! Don't get stuck in old ways of living. Every introduction has the potential to be a life long friend. PinPointe Magazine
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16 May | June 2022
