Blog Archives - On the Wing of an Angel

Here a beep..there a beep..everywhere a beep beep….

5/26/2011

Not sure I can describe this in such a fashion as to give whoever reads this a TRUE depiction of that which has "inspired" me to write this at 1 am in a house full of sleeping people and dogs….but I shall try. I think Seinfeld could have used this in one of his episodes….maybe not as funny as the soup nazi, but funny, nonetheless.

Went to bed about 11….hubby asleep the minute his head hit the pillow and all three little ones sound asleep for hours. In a short time I, too, was asleep. UNTIL the shrieking beeeeeeeeeeep beeeeeeeeeep of the alarm went off….it was only 12:35 am. Not having a flash light and not wanting to wake hubby and the sweet dog who was in our bed, I pushed whatever button I could feel on the clock. One minute later the beeeeeeeeeeep beeeeeeeeeep returned….same process….I hit whatever button I could feel. One minute later….ditto. Now picture me trying to find the end of the alarm clock cord (before the *^***!!! beeeeep went off again) so I could pull the plug out (cord runs behind the headboard). BUT, not having been blessed with long limbs of any sort, I couldn't find the end….without leaping on the slumbering hubby and sweet dog. AHA! Thought I….I'll climb under the bed and just feel my way to the outlet. Now this bed is sssoo high that I have to take a flying leap to get on it, in it, however you want to put it….and, you guessed it, I began to fall OFF the bed. Once I touched ground I couldn't get UNDER the (&(^&(&*&#$% bed without dislodging my head from my neck NOR could I follow the cord to the other side of the bed while on top of the bed BECAUSE I WOULD WAKE THE SLUMBERING HUBBY AND STIR THE SWEET DOG. And suddenly the SHRIEKING BEEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEP went off again.

It occurred to me that I should find my phone, turn it on, and use the illumination from it to see where the off button was…because, of course, it was the snooze I was smacking (and, yes, I knew it was the snooze….I just thought it MIGHT GET THE IDEA TO SHUT UP/TURN OFF IF I KEPT SMACKING IT!) Finally, there in the illumination I could see the off button. Ever so gently I touched it. Peace at last…..e- x- c- e - p- t in the welcomed stillness of the night I heard a scratching sound…..doggie #2 wants out of the room she is in. So, here I sit in the family room, face to face with SLUMBERING DOGGIE. Hmmmm, how many hours until the first shift awakens?

The good news

Slumbering hubby and sweet dog never awakened.

The bad news

The snooze button will never be the same.

Sleep well….

Food for thought…..

5/25/2011

I read something which I considered inspirational and wanted to share it with all of you. It is from a website called Daily OM….website is http://www.dailyom.com
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Nothing is Insurmountable
There is nothing in your life that cannot be overcome; whatever the situation or problem, there is always a solution.
When our next best course of action seems unclear, any dilemmas we face can appear insurmountable. Yet there is nothing we cannot overcome with time, persistence, focused thought, help, and faith. Whatever the situation or problem, there is always a solution. And if you remember to look within, even as you search around you for the „right course of action, you will be able to center yourself, clear your mind, and see that nothing has to be impossible.

If you feel overwhelmed by the scope of your troubles, you may want to think of other people who have turned adversity into triumph. We often gain a fresh perspective when we remember others who have overcome larger obstacles. It can be inspiring to hear of their victories, helping us remember that there is always light at the end of every tunnel. It is during our darkest hours that we sometimes need to remind ourselves that we don't have to feel helpless. You have within and around you the resources to find a solution to any problem. And remember that if a solution or choice you make doesn't work, you are always free to try another. Believe that you can get through anything, and you will always prevail.

There is much food for thought in these words. So often situations we are in create a feeling of helplessness, despair.
Remember you are loved

Busy days

5/24/2011

Been a busy day today with all 3 little blessings in school…..different schedules of course (Are we surprised??? NOOOOOOO)

After school Jack and Meg had piano lessons. I cannot get over how much they know and how well they are doing…..definitely inherited a strong musical gene.

Ally had soccer practice at 5:30 at a nearby park. So much fun watching this little peanut running after the soccer ball and kicking it. So typical of Ally….so adorable to watch. Needless to say, they all fell asleep the minute their heads hit the pillow. Children are especially beautiful in slumber….so peaceful, content, de-stressed ;).

I wish you a day filled with joy

Happy 8th Birthday, Erin!!!

5/23/2011

Hard to believe Erin is now 8 years old! When we spoke to her today, she was her usual bubbly self…..so much to say…..I could picture those gorgeous big blue eyes, so full of expression, as she talked to us over the phone. Erin is always in "motion" kind of like the energizer bunny. She is blossoming into a beautiful little flower.
Happy Birthday, little one….we are so glad u were born! We love u, Erin!

Surprise, Chad!!!! Your 40th birthday season continues.... ; )

5/19/2011

After months of planning (since October) Jenny finally did it! She surprised Chad at work and wisked him away to California. He had no idea and never even knew WHERE she was taking him until they got to their second flight (connecting in Minneapolis). The amount of details that have gone into planning this is off the charts as I see it. Every day they will have a new adventure....and he won't know what it is until that day. It is a trip packed full of so much fun.....right up Chad's alley. The trip begins in LA with our son, Jim.

In addition to all the "trip" details, Jen has also gone to great lengths to arrange for everything on the homefront with the kids. She even arranged for a baby sitter one night while we are there so that we could go out....and have a little break.

So many people have been enjoying the planning she's been doing....and so many have been on pins and needles waiting for today, hoping she would not have to tell him about the surprise. I can't wait to hear the stories!!!!

More on France...

5/17/2011

The original Abbey of Sant Michel was built in 708 AD. Over the years it was destroyed and rebuilt. During the D Day invasion, the archives were destroyed. As the story is told, a local bishop heard Michael the Archangel tell him to "Build here and build high." And build he did!!!!!!! It is a beautiful sight to behold, set high atop a hill. The "town" of Sant Michel has a mere 30 full time residents - tourism is the sole source of income.
We spent about three hours walking through the Abbey. Every room of the abbey is lavishly decorated, from gold trimmed statues to ornate wall hangings and furniture. We came upon the cathedral where a mass was being said. ....just a few nuns were present, kneeling on the hard stone floor. They were chanting and their voices were exquisite....it sounded like angels were singing.....positively exquisite. (and, of course, totally in French. ;) )

Michael the Archangel

The large statue of Michael bids visitors farewell.
All in all a beautiful place.

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Spring...R U kidding!!!!!!!!!!

5/15/2011

I thought it was safe to have my winter coats cleaned, but after the last few days, they're back out. I mean, I know there's global warming, but how does it go from 90 degrees one day, 80s the next, then windy, rainy and in the 40s the next???? I'm thinking those bumblebees I saw when it was 90 are pretty darn confused!
Ah, but I just heard on the weather channel that it will be sunny the next couple of days....riiiiiiiiiiiiight!

70 and beautiful - Happy Birthday, Denny!!

5/15/2011

Today is my Aunt Denny (Denise)'s 70th birthday. Now 70 may give you an image of a little old lady. If you saw Denny you would realize that image is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay NOT! Denny is a beautiful, trim, gentle hearted, graceful woman....but most especially.....she is one of the most wonderful human beings you would ever want to meet. She is my Mom's sister.....16 years difference between them. She has always been my friend, my confidante, as well as my Aunt, and sometimes, my Mother. Family is a priority to Denny, and she has always gone the extra mile for those she loves.

Unfortunately we are separated by many miles.....she lives in Maryland, near the capitol, while we are in Mount Prospect. Yet the distance has never affected the special relationship we have, other than the difficulty in not being able to be "see" each other.

To celebrate her birthday, her daughters are giving her a trip home.....so, in another week and a half Denny will be visiting us for 9 days. I have so many things planned which I know she will love. But most of all, she is so excited to be coming home.....and we are glad to be able to hug her and sit up and reminisce. Can you tell I love her very much? Our lives are richer because of her presence....and the world is a better place because of her.

Is there someone in your life like Denny? Someone who gives you unconditional love? If there is, tell them you love and appreciate them.

Normandy

5/14/2011

Normandy Museum

American Cemetery at Normandy.....9,000 graves

On day 7 of our trip, we drove to Normandy, the site of the D Day catastrophic bombing. It is one thing to "learn" about it in school, but it is quite a different thing to experience it by being there. When we arrived, we watched movies in the Normandy museum (upper photo). Afterwords we walked through the bunker area and the site of the bombings. It gave us the sense that we were walking on sacred ground. So many young service women and men died there....thus demanding a reverent presence from the throngs of tourists who walk on the beaches and through the bunkers. Huge holes where bombs dropped provided a vivid picture of what took place. As the soldiers came over on troop boats, seasick and cold, they were determined to fight. Using ropes, they scaled the rugged cliffs to get to the top. The Germans who were lying in wait, would go to the ridge, and cut the ropes, plunging the soldiers to their deaths.
The American cemetery at Normandy is breathtaking.....9,000 white crosses mark the spots of each of those whose remains were found. The crosses are in PERFECT alignment.....a magnificent sight. Most of the inscriptions mark June 6, 1944 as the date of death. Throughout the complex, visitors speak quietly so as not to invade the sacredness.
I could not help but think of the families and loved ones of all of these young people, how they must still miss them so much.
When you have a spare moment or two, offer up a prayer for all those who were left behind.

The Mona Lisa

5/10/2011

More trip memories....on our second day in Paris, we visited Notre Dame....so impressive. And the whole time we walked around in Notre Dame, I kept wondering where the "hunchback" was... ;) Stained glass windows are beautiful. One tries to absorb it all, but it is still kind of overwhelming.
Anyway............after Notre Dame, we headed for the Louvre. What an incredible place that is!!!!! Probably the largest crowd was clustered around the Mona Lisa. Now I had imagined this painting would be quite large. Not so. The painting is probably 24 x 30. There is just a hint of a smile on her face, and I couldn't help but wonder what little secret she was carrying. ..or had something struck her funnybone as she posed? Was she with child as many suspect? Questions with no answers leave us open to pondering....imagining....hmmmmmmm.
In addition to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre houses so many incredible sculptures and paintings. The Impressionists are one of my favorites. Monet's pieces really touch my heart.....in fact, I purchased a copy of one to have framed for our living room. Magnificent, really magnificent.
Blessings