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July 2, 2009
Hello and thanks for stopping by!
We appreciate you taking time in yur busy day to see
what's up with us.
Yesterday was Canada Day and so, it
was a big day here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This little
town was once known as Newark and was actually the
capital of Upper Canada waaaay back when. So, apart from
the historic stuff around the War of 1812, there is also
the distinction of having some major Canadian polical
figures gracing the landscape.
Each year, there is a little parade
in which the festival cake is paraded through the main
street. Here are some pictures from yesterdays
festivities.
The Canada Day crowd
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The HUGE cake, complete with the
cenotaph
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United Empire Loyalists...
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The regimental band followed by the friends of
Fort George.
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June 30, 2009
Woke up to a huge thunderboomer
early this morning. Mr. Murphy was not pleased. And Xena
the cat was rather shaken as well. Everything in the
house with a LED is flashing today. Summer in
NOTL.
The town is picking up some steam
with the arrival of summer. Huge groups of people walk by
the house, enjoying the lovely atmoshere of the town.
Walking on the main street reveals visitors of various
nationalities speaking many different languages. It is
very, very cool!
We've been very busy working on the
website. It is a large site and with the removal of the
877 number, each page has to be checked. And, of course,
while checking the page things often need to be updated.
LOL It is a never-ending process!
As you can see, we've tried to make
navigating easier by putting all the links we can think
of at the side, in various categories.
The first section is information -
who we are, about this blog, inviting folks to subscribe
or join the network and meet like-minded people on the
Angel Ladies' ning group. The second outlines our
services and offerings. The third section gives links to
all our products. The fourth offers links to the many
ways in which we serve to inspire people through You Tube
or angel messages or angel prayers etc. We think this is
a simpler way to present the info.
In the News You Can Use Dept., Deb
has just uploaded dozens more medallions, which you can
access from the Directory here.
Check out the Angel Collection and the Guardian Angels.
Archangel medallions will be added later
today.
AND, if you want to join us for our
fabulous teleclasses at half-price, register by Friday!
We are running a course to help you understand and
connect with your angels, another to jumpstart prosperity
and a fun group to help develop intuition. Details can be
found here: Angels
101:Living
and Working With
Angels,
Developing
your Personal
Intuition
The
Four Prosperity Laws and how to make them work for
YOU
We hope you
have a fabulous day!
Deb
June 11, 2009
We've been working The Secret (Law of Attraction)
for a number of years now. Basically, the bottom line is
that what you focus your attention on comes to you. So,
if you are having fearful thoughts about money,
relationships, work etc, you tend to see more reasons to
be fearful.
It is challenging to monitor your thoughts and stay
focused on the good sometimes. The angels tell us that
even taking a few minutes each day to visualize and think
about happy things is a very powerful exercise.
But what if you have an unpleasant boss breathing
down your neck, or a pressing situation that dogs you?
What if you can't bump yourself out of that negative
place of concern and worry? One of the tips we received
in the last few days was to look at the problem, person
or concern and address it as "dear." "Dear boss"
rather than "(*%^# boss", "dear spouse" rather
than "jerk".. that kind of thing. By calling it "dear,"
it immediately shifts the energy around YOU. The boss may
still be demanding, but it doesn't affect you as deeply.
By addressing a situation with a word of affection, you
allow the Law of Attraction to bring in higher and better
actions. Try it and see!
Have a wonderful day!
Deb
June 10, 2009
Today in NOTL: Another gorgeous day...a cool high
of 16C/60F with a few breezes and sunny
skies...yum!
Ah, the telephone wars continue. It doesn't help
that telephone bills are so confusing you practically
need a degree in bill-reading to figure out what you are
paying for. Bell doesn't help, either. Talking to a
representative is fine, but I like to have things in
writing. When I ask for things in writing, oh, well,
can't do that.... Hmm. That, to me, raises suspicions.
If I have something in writing, I can check to see
that the terms are being met. Without it, I don't have
much to back me up, eh? I can see the benefit to Bell and
other companies, but I can't say I like the ethics of
it.
So we'll continue poring over bills and plans in
our on-going effort to become better consumers. Like a
proud mother, the tax preparer is encouraging us along as
we make notes and and calculate costs per feature vs
benefit.
I need a cocktail.
Jean
June 9, 2009
Today in NOTL: Gorgeous! Today's high 22C/71F with
blue skies and luscious breezes.
We had a chat with our tax preparer who encouraged
us to compute the return on investment for various
elements of our work, particularly the most cost-heavy
elements, to see whether they are worth the expenditure.
So we took a look at it. Ugh, numbers are not my
thing.
Even I could see, though, that we're paying Bell
Canada an arm and a leg for services that aren't really
helpful to us in terms of earning our living. That 877
number costs us a bundle, and when we took a look at our
usage notes, it became clear that it is NOT paying its
way. So it's going to be history.
We know many people have a long distance plan that
includes unlimited US-Canada calling, and we're going to
be looking at plans for ourselves instead of the 877
line. That way, we can call people for readings instead
of the other way around.
For people wanting information, the 877 line was a
help, we know, so we'll be looking at ways they can
request info at no charge to them. Skype is one
possibility - it's an internet phone system that offers
free long distance worldwide. A VOIP plan like Vonage is
another. We're still gathering info on that.
Stay tuned - we'll let you know how it shakes out.
For now, call us at the 905-468-8448 number.
Jean
May 28, 2009
It is hard to believe that we're coming up to the
end of May already. Time seems to fly on by! We are
waking up to a rainy, chilly Thursday here in NOTL, which
means I'll be parking on the street till next
week...
It never ceases to amaze me just how out-of-touch
town planners can be. The season has just started to pick
up here in town with the launch of the Shaw festival's
new season, so of course, it is time to tear up the
sidewalks and let people walk on the busy roads.
Oy.
I'll never understand the theory that justifies
ignoring the fall and winter months when it is quiet in
town, and busting out the guys with the backhoes and
cement trucks to create a little excitement on the
streets when thousands of people are arriving daily at
this point in time.
In Newmarket, the town decided to "revitalize" Main
Street, the historic part of the city. We lived on a
sidestreet, just steps away from Main street and our
street was part of the revitalization plan. People could
not physical get to our house for 10 months. It was more
than a year before the construction people actually put
the street back in. Our house was below grade and we got
flooded with the first good rain. We actually had to look
up to the curb when we came out of the house.
Bizarre.
At one point there was a crater in the middle of
the road for weeks on end that wouldn't even allow an
emergency vehicle access to any house on the street.
Planners. After five years, Main street still looks like
it did pre-revitalizing. Except 12 stores --and us-- got
put out of business in the process.
Well, it won't be that long to get the sidewalks
finished here. And, if the rain clears, they'll be upon
us like a cloud of worker bees. There are meters all
along the street and it is a popular place to park. I
think the revenue from the parking will ensure that the
workers get things completed lickity-split. And, that is
a good thing for people wanting to walk on solid ground
again.
On the plus side, we will be open from Friday until
Sunday for walk-ins and Jean is available as always by
appointment for phone and onsite readings. The special
price of $50 for a half hour reading is still in effect
until Sunday.
Have a great day!
Deb
May 22, 2009
Hi everyone,
Hope you are enjoying your day. Our friends in the
US are looking forward to a long weekend and we
expect that it will be busy in town this weekend.
Well, things at the Cottage are picking up. And, of
course that means that construction guys are out front to
tear up the sidewalks... Argh. We have a few weddings and
some readings happening over the weekend and the last
thing we need is barricades across the driveway, so I
called the Town and talked to the workers and I believe
they will spare us till Monday.
HONESTLY, if you have ever tried to park in
Niagara-on-the-lake on a busy day, you'll know that there
are not enough spaces for the thousands of cars that
arrive daily. And, so, a Friday is a perfect day to tear
up streets and block parking spaces and the like.
*sigh*
I guess I am still traumatized from the very
lengthly construction in Newmarket on our street. Ten
months of work with piles of dirt in front of our house
and often no way to get to us. THAT was awful. Here, they
are quick to restore order because of the tourists. Just
spare the driveway till Monday, is all I ask.
The cross
sales are going really well and I am busily
making up the orders coming in. I'll also be taking
pictures of some amazing crosses, necklaces and
medallions this weekend. Jean has a number of incredible
original art domino necklaces too.
The search for a new place continues. We've seen a
number of lovely places, but so far we haven't found the
right home for the next part of the journey. The housing
market is slow here, which is in our favour. Ideally,
we'd like to stay in this house until the perfect place
presents. That is what we are energizing. And, at this
point, we are here until the end of August anyway, which
keeps us here for the busy season. And that is
PERFECT!
We have plans to present the Spiritual Abundance
program as an audio CD, and now that we have a working
Mac again, we can proceed with the audio version. We are
really excited about this! The program absolutely works
and has helped so many people over the years. We'll let
you know when it is ready.
Also, we are working on a new book that uses the
angel workshops as its base. It will teach you about
angels and help you to learn ways to communicate with
your own angels and heavenly entourage!
Lots to do!
Have a great day, wherever you are in this
wonderful world,
Deb
May 6, 2009
Well, we got a call from the agent looking after the
house that I blooged about yesterday. He was on his
way with a group of visitors to the Falls and he could
show us the house. So, we basically dropped everything
and went to meet him.
The house is beautiful. It is Craftsman design and
has beautiful stained glass windows and those lovely dark
wood doorways and hardwood floors. As we looked through
it, it became apparent that we could certainly run a
B&B, but there was no real room for us to live. The
complicating factor was that the house was furnished and
it appeared that the owners wanted us to insure their
stuff if we moved in. I thought that was a little
strange, and there is the matter of what to do with our
furniture - which we find very comfortable. The house
wasn't for us.
And so, we bless the house to its good and know
that the right place for us is on its way.
With our current residence up for sale at 460K, we
know that it will be awhile before we go anywhere. While
we are thinking that Niagara Falls offers us many
opportunities, we are just working the Law of Attraction,
staying open and joyful, sending out a picture of what we
desire.
Ah, here are the roofers. Again. It would seem that
they are rebuilding the front part of the roof and that
is over my head, so I am going to retreat to the living
room and take pictures of medallions and necklaces. I
have a wedding couple coming this afternoon and the
roofers' stuff is all over the backyard. I guess it will
be an indoor wedding unless they finish by lunch.
Hopefully I'll get Jean's necklaces posted by this
evening. She is making the most beautiful scenes and
hand-drawn images on dominos. Her cat faces have been
snapped up at recent sales I have attended. They are
really lovely and I have been trying to get to posting
them for awhile.
I have some new medallions to post as well.
You can see some of them at www.divineimprints.webs.com
Many have sold, so it is time to get some new ones up to
see.
Anyway, off to get the coffee started and the
camera set up.
Have a great day everyone,
Deb
May
5, 2009
Hi
all,
Well,
Spring is in full bloom here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The
orchards in the area are a sea of pink and white
blossoms, and flowering trees everywhere are gracing the
world with colour.
Things
have been interesting here at the Angel Ladies Cottage.
As I mentioned, the landlord has put the house up for
sale and we are looking for a new place. The past week,
the roofers have been installing a new roof, which has
meant early mornings and lots of noise.
Hopefully
they'll be done today. It is an ongoing disruption in the
peace of the house and many daffodils and other beautiful
flowers have been smunched in the process.
We have
had an opportunity come to us, and we would very much
appreciate your positive prayers.
A B&B
has come available to lease in Niagara Falls. This is a
very rare thing in itself. There are lots of B&Bs for
sale, but people generally need to live in them and
continue to earn an income until someone decides to buy
it.
It offers
amazing visibility (right across from the Niagara Gorge
on a heavily travelled road), income hosting guests,
readings, workshops, weddings and all manner of things.
Problem is that we need to manifest first, last and
moving costs, plus contingency funds. That works out to
be quite a lot of money.
Now, we
know that if something is meant to be, it will happen. We
have been thinking about having a place that synthesizes
all that we do and have been thinking about a B&B for
awhile now. This might be the place.
We've
seen pictures and Deb has visited and looked around. The
agent has offered to take her through knowing that we
really aren't able to do much more than say "ooh" and
"aaah" at this point.
We are
praying for an financial angel --someone who can help us
with seed monies and wait a few months before repayment.
If you know anyone who can assist, pop us an email. We've
learned that it never hurts to put it out
there.
Have a
fabulous day,
Deb
April
14,
Hi
all,
Hope you are
having a wonderful day. Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake it is
a beautiful morning. The daffodils are about to bloom and
tulips are stretching toward the sun. It is nice to see
green returning.
It has been
an interesting few weeks. The landlord has put the house
up for sale and so, we are starting the hunt for a new
place. With the market the way it is, we don't anticipate
going anywhere anytime soon, but it is a pressure that we
didn't expect.
We know that
everything happens for a reason and that reason is good,
so we are going with the flow. We have come to love this
little cottage and I've been feeling a fair amount of
grief around leaving.
That said,
the question becomes, "Where to next?"
We know
we'll be staying in the area. The wedding component of
the business has been picking up and with Niagara Falls
being "the honeymoon capital," it is good to be available
for couples.
One of the
drawbacks of living in NOTL is the many restrictions and
rules enforced by the town. We can't have a sign any
larger than 1 1/2 feet x 1 foot and so many people walk
by without noticing that we do readings. Parking is a
huge issue as anyone who has visited on a summer day will
attest. Thousands of people come to Old Town daily and
there are very limited places in which to
park.
We know that
people know people who know people, so we are putting it
out there. If you know someone in the area with a house
to lease, please put in a good word for us.
I would love
to have a B&B where we could have residential
capabilities and offer workshops and courses about
angels, spirituality, LoA etc. I think this would be so
much fun! We could host speakers and Jean could have
channeling sessions for groups. We'd have to go to
Niagara Falls most likely as B&Bs are highly
regulated here. You cannot host weddings, or even offer
guests anything except breakfast!
So, dear
friends, join us in energizing an exciting new chapter.
We are energizing a benefactor to assist in our efforts.
We'll let you know how it goes.
In the
meantime, we are open Friday to Sunday and other times by
appointment.
Peace,
Deb
March
30, 2009
Happy
Monday, all.
Gosh
this month flew by! Didn't help that over the past week I
was really under the weather. Cold is almost gone and the
smell of Vicks in the house is fading.
 We
had an interesting weekend here at the cottage. I spent
Saturday at a little craft sale at a town about an hour
from here. My sister Wendy joined me and while it wasn't
a busy day, we met some really nice people. The highlight
was the Penny Sale. There were about 40 items with a can
beside each. You bought a card with 20 tickets and went
around putting your tickets in the containers of the item
you would like to win. Wendy and I ended up winning some
very nice prizes!
 I love
doing craft sales and meeting people. The
crosses
were a hit and people were very moved by the
"Only
Trust"
poem.
This
weekend our friend Lynn Campbell is taking some necklaces
and crosses with her to the Sunderland Maple Syrup
Festival.
Then
on the 19th, I'll be in Virgil at the Craft show in the
arena. Jean's dominos will be a hit there - and she is
making a whole bunch of adorable paper
angels.
Until
the season gets going this is a way for us to keep the
bills paid and have some fun too.
Hope
you all had a great weekend! Have a wonderful day and
thanks for stopping by.
Deb
March
27, 2009
Hi
all,
Well,
I am getting through what has been a nasty virus.
I
really hate getting sick, because there is so much to do
and losing time to illness can be stressful in itself.
Which is probably why I got sick in the first place -
stress and working too hard. I have been telling my body
I will rest and take better care.
That
is the thing. When you feel well, it is easy to overdo. I
have been making crosses for various schools and
churches, and they take time to make. So, to make sure I
had enough for any new orders, I pushed myself, working
late into the night. And, this was on top of busy days
containing all manner of activity...
The
thing is, at the end of it all, I am no further ahead. I
lost a week where I could do little more than cough and
make soup. Lesson learned.
One
thing I must find time to do today is get outside for a
while with the rake. The daffodils are coming up and they
are surrounded by grungy fall leaves. Even if I just
clear the worst of it, it will make the house look
better. However, even thinking about it makes me feel
rather tired.
Tomorrow
I am doing a little craft sale in Smithville about an
hour from here. I'll bring along Jean's necklaces, the
crosses and jewelery and maybe angel books. The nice
thing is it just goes from 10 till 2 p.m. I think I can
handle that.
That
is the plan, anyway. We'll see what the day
brings...
Have
a great day and a wonderful weekend!/
Deb
March 17,
2009
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Thanks for stopping
by for a visit! We know that your time is valuable and it
means a lot that folks across the globe pop in to see
what's up with us.
Well, I have been a
busy angel lady, wearing my "artisan" beret of late. I
was given this beautiful design for the
Transformation
Cross
and have been making crosses for churches and RC schools
for a fundraising item. What could be a more natural
seller for the Christian community than a cross -
especially at Lent and Easter?!
I have set up a new
website http://www.bishopdeb.webs.com/
through which I also offer presentations and workshops.
If you belong to a church community or happen to know
someone at a catholic school, I would really appreciate
the plug.
Sometimes, as I go
to cut the clay into a cross, my breath is literally
taken away by what I see. Over the past several weeks, as
I've been making crosses and reflecting on Jesus, death,
resurrection and great mysteries, the energized clay has
brought forth some INCREDIBLE images. Check them out
here: http://www.divineimprints.webs.com/
Let me know what
you think!
Have great day,
everyone, and may you be blessed by the leprechauns.
Deb
March 7, 2009
Okay, I know.
It has been weeks since an update.
I'll be honest with
you. It has been a challenging couple of months. Off
season in Niagara-on-the-Lake can be tricky and somewhere
around the second week of January, the phone here went
more quiet than usual. Wedding couples that wanted to
book with me have yet to send along deposits to book
their date and time -- a very unusual thing indeed as
brides are always anxious to ensure they have their
officiant.
It has been a
strange time.
Now, because we are
spiritual people trying to live the things we teach
others, we had to take a long hard look at things. Was
this a sign that we were to leave Niagara-on-the-Lake? We
got a big "no" on that one. Was this a sign that we
needed to shift the things that we offered? Was this
quiet time meant to have us look a little deeper at what
we do? We set about to work.
So, the last few
weeks have been a time of intense reflection and
listening to angels and our hearts. Mind you, we have put
up 4 new websites and I have been marketing the
Transformation Crosses to churches, catholic schools and
bookstores, so we haven't exactly been idle, but it was
important to see where we were out of
alignment.
What came to us is
something we have struggled with for many years: our
identity. We are Christian - Jean is a cradle Roman
Catholic and that tradition is part of the fabric of her
being. I am a bishop now and so, it is safe to say
I am Christian.
Yet, we are not
dogmatic religious people. Our spirituality has expanded
out of the church box and so we are in this nebulous
world where it is hard to define what The Angel Ladies
represent. But it occured to us that we are apologetic a
great deal.
To the Christian
crowd, we are kind of woo woo, talking to angels and
all...
To the woo woo crowd, with our Christian roots, we are
seen as more traditional.
Our philosophy from
the beginning has been that we embrace all and promote
none, and while we see things from the Christian window,
I think that we are very much open to where others are
spiritually. But the very word "christian" has become so
coated with rightwing religiousity, it would be nice to
have a less loaded label.
This is the kind of
dialogue we've had over the past few months and what we
have discovered is that this is a point where we are out
of alignment with the Universe. So, we are now happy to
call ourselves Spiritual Christians.
There are many
people who share this dilemma - those who were brought up
in the Church but find themselves exploring an expanded
path where Law of Attraction and intuition and angels and
greater spiritual truths have meaning. And, we came to
understand that this is precisely why Creator has called
us in this purpose: so we can speak to people in every
place. We can speak the religious language. We can speak
the language of those who are on spiritual paths. We can
understand where people are in their expanded
journey.
It seems simple,
maybe even obvious, but it has made such a difference to
the way in which we approach our work and our daily life.
And, as a result, the phone is ringing again. I have
two wedding couples coming for meetings to day and one
tomorrow.
In the end, it
really isn't about how you label or define who you are or
what you do; the most important thing is how you live it
out in Love. Embracing life from a fearless, trusting
stance and moving forward with the knowledge that you are
blessed and loved and good things are showering on you.
When we are out of alignment, it is like being a foot
away from the shower spray -- adjust your understanding
and the spray will find you!
Have a great day
everyone. We are so thankful that you take the time to
check in.
Deb
February
16, 2009
Hi all,
I apologize that it
has been so long since we updated this journal. I don't know
where time gets to!
Partly it has been
because we are down two computers and Jean is now working on
the Mac, which doesn't have a word processing program.
Partly it has been because we've been busy working on
projects. Partly, it is because it is off season and things
have been a little quiet.
Having your own
business can be very scary. We've both given up our day jobs
to do this work and often that means walking the rope
without a wire when the phone isn't ringing. We are in the
spirituality field, and so we practice trust, but like most
people we have days of uncertainty before we recommit to our
purpose and embrace the path once more.
And so, we move
forward. I have put together some inspirational affirmation
videos on the You
Tube
channel,
which have been very effective for us. A few months back, we
were given the idea of the "Transformation Cross." Many of
our subscribers and clients are Christian but often have
fallen away from "churchianity." But the symbols and the
rituals are rich with meaning on many levels and are part of
our spiritual fabric. So, I've also been working on
presentations and workshops to offer churches and groups.
And, I've been busy making crosses to assist people as
touchpoints of faith.
The crosses are like
the Divine Imprint medallions. I pray with the clay and
bless each to the recipient's highest and best. Each one is
unique and one-of-a-kind, and I am offering them at $10
each, or at the bulk rate of 25 for $125. You can find out
more here
or by visiting my
new
website.
We are really excited
that a shop in town here will be carrying our necklaces and
jewellery!! Of course, you can purchase them here at the
cottage and online, but you know about us. :) We are
grateful to be able to offer our products to new audiences.
Oh -- I'll be putting Jean's shop back online in a day or so
with new domino necklaces that are simply wonderful. She has
been making more cats and is adding dragonfly, angel and
other hand-drawn work that is really excellent. There should
be a newsletter coming out in the next few days, and we'll
let you know.
Today is Family Day in
Ontario, and is a long weekend. It is a clear bright day and
so I think we'll be seeing lots of tourists in town. Two
years ago at this time we were knee deep in snow - the other
day I noticed that the daffodils are starting to peek out of
the soil... We can still get snow and cold, but the worse of
the winter feels done. And, that is cause to breathe a sigh
of relief. The wheel shifts, the cycle moves to completion,
another begins.
Have a great day
wherever you are in this big old world. If you are in the
area and have a spare PC that you'll let go for cheap,
please let us know!
And - if you have an
hour to spare from 8-9 p.m. EST please join us on
our
internet radio
show. You
can call in with your questions, or ask them on the
chat.
Deb
January 20,
2009
Big day today. Three
million folks in Washington for the big day and we'll be
snug as bugs in front of the TV watching it all happen! With
temps here around -18, I expect we won't be going farther
than the Post Office to pick up the mail. LOL
Jean is working on the
newsletter today and it will be full of news and articles.
If you aren't part of the mailing list, well, what are you
waiting for??? It is free and easy to jump aboard; just
click
here.
I've been working on
some very interesting necklaces, which should be online by
the time the newsletter goes out. We're calling them "Divine
Inspirations," a combination of an energized and blessed
Divine Imprint medallion, wire spirals, and beads. Each one
is quite unique and Jean has channeled the name of each.
They come on a 30" silk cord and begin at $30. They are
pretty remarkable. I can't wait to hear your
feedback!
Lots to do -- starting
with getting the garbage out. Oh, the glamorous life of an
Angel Lady.
Enjoy the day,
Deb
Later that
morning.....
Watching the
Inauguration of President Obama....
It's interesting
watching George Bush. He walked out, looking much like a
trained dog going through its paces, watching for its
trainer to tell it what to do. Deb, watching Bush during the
speeches, said he looked like he took lessons from Joey on
Friends...and was trying to do multiplication in his head to
look interested, rather than actually attending to what was
being said.
Then Cheney comes out
in a wheelchair and Deb says, "Can anyone say Potter??"
referring to Old Man Potter, the villain in It's a Wonderful
Life. LOL, but true.
For myself, I'm just
so glad that the interloper has been overthrown, finally.
For eight years, the poor US has been under the thumb of a
man who was never actually elected by the people but foisted
on them by a morally-bankrupt party who set up a poisonous
political regime. Thank God, their days are over.
I pray that President
Obama will be divinely led and protected in his term of
office and that he leads the nation wisely and well. I pray,
especially, that he will be supported in his work of
restoring democracy and the rights of Americans that have
been lost in the past eight years. God bless us
all.
Jean
January
16,2009
Today in NOTL: Cold
and lightly snowing, with 2:30 p.m.temps of -12C/9F.
Brr!
Ah, Pope Benedict is
at it again. Now he is drawing up new guidelines regarding
apparations and messages from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Up
till now, such messages/appearances required the discernment
and approval of local bishops. Now, Benny is supporting the
bishops (Benny-speak for handcuffing them) with a new set of
guidelines for them to implement.
How can they discern
whether a vision or apparition is real? Well, first, the
person will be silent about it and not 'court' publicity.
Then, when the hapless recipient informs the bishop, a team
(!) of psychiatrists who will determine the visionary's
state of mental health. Interestingly, the psychiatrists are
to be either atheists or Roman Catholics. Apparently, Jews,
Muslim, and/or Baptist psychiatrists need not apply!
Meanwhile the
theologians are called in to assess the messages in light of
Roman Catholic teaching. Note: the theologians are not
called in to see what Mary or whoever wants; they're called
to discover whether Mary is being properly faithful to the
Magesterium of the church.
If the poor visionary
makes it through Rounds One and Two, she or he will then
face one or more demonologists and/or exorcists who will
determine whether Satan is the actual source of the
messages. If all systems are go, then the the Church will
decide the message's meaning and how, when, and whether to
spread it.
Cheney couldn't have
planned it better. Guess the next move will be to teach the
Catholics to pray the new rosary, filled with Our Pope's and
Hail
Benny's.
For more information
visit
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catholics-ordered-to-keep-quiet-over-virgin-visions-1332016.html
Jean
January 13, 2009
Hi all and welcome to
Tuesday. As I write this, snow is gently falling and the
temperature is starting to plummet. I can feel the draft
coming in through the floorboards and various points in the
windows.
I know it is
winter and I know it is supposed to snow... it just feels
like we've been getting a lot of it this year. Part of my
grumbling comes from the fact that my strong young sons are
now finding their own lives, and the shovelling falls to me.
I miss them both dearly, but even more so on a snowy
day.
Well, snow aside, we
have many projects on the go here. Sometimes I wish
there were 36 hours in a day. We are especially excited
about one project in particular that the angels have been
coaching us on -- it will be unveiled when it is ready in a
few weeks. And, we've been writing and dreaming and creating
objets d'art. We are industrious Angel
Ladies!
Jean is expecting a
client today who wanted an onsite reading. She is coming a
loooong way in the snow and the cold, and truly, a phone
reading is every bit as detailed and helpful. Jean gets
calls from all over North America and referrals from many
happy clients. So, if you are thinking you have to be across
the table to have a reading with her, remember that angels
are outside of time and space and will convey information to
you wherever you are. She is offering her
Year
Ahead
reading,
which has been very helpful to so many over the past few
weeks.
I have been making
some new kinds of energized medallions for necklaces and
learning how to work with wire to add in elements like
spirals and the like. As this weekend is the Ice Wine
Festival here in NOTL, we are planning on having a
"boutique" of all our products and art work. Jean will be
offering readings as well.
So, I have lots to
keep me busy over the next few days. Hope you are snug and
warm wherever you are!
Cheers,
Deb
January 8,
2008
Today in NOTL:
Cold and snowy....today?s high only -4C/24*F and breezy
with winds of 37kph/14mph. Pretty, though!
I was watching tv and
a particular commercial came on that always makes me
shake my head.
In it, a young child
perhaps 12 or 13 sees a help-wanted sign in the window of
a small business. He enters and asks the man behind the
counter about the job. "Shouldn't you be out playing
hockey?" the man laughs. "That's what I'm trying to do,"
the child replies. A voice-over then informs the viewer
that some number of families don't have the money for
extracurricular activities like hockey and so on and asks
for a contribution to some organization or other.
The reasoning here is
that every child ought to be able to be part of some
recreational league, I suppose, and I'm not convinced
that's so.
But I shake my head
because the ad holds up the character of this young boy
who must earn the money for his equipment and fees, etc.,
as an object of pity. Pity?
This young person has
a goal and is working to bring it to pass. Isn't that
what we *want* our young people - and older people! - to
do? Feel a desire for whatever, then take meaningful
action to achieve it? Isn't that how we achieve success,
however we define it for ourselves?
And instead of holding
the young person up as a model of maturity and purpose,
the ad characterizes him as a poor child who needs us to
pay for his participation so he doesn't have to do it
himself.
That doesn't seem like
a helpful
message.
Jean
January 7,
2009
Well, kiddies,
I am a little punchy today. I stayed up waaaaay late
setting up a social network for The Angel Ladies' fabulous
community. If you are reading this, then you count as part
of it!
I had set up a
different bulletin board yesterday, but it wasn't working as
easily and smoothly as the Ning tool. It is very cool and
VERY easy to operate.
When you sign up,
you'll have your very own page to decorate. You can move
things around, add things in, have your own blog, post to
the discussion board and chat with folks online, if you
wish. It is lots of fun and will be a lovely home for all of
us angel/spiritual type people looking to talk to others who
speak the language...
What are you waiting
for? Tell your friends! Let's create a wonderful online
community where people can connect and share and be
affirmed!
 The
Angel Ladies' Network!
Visit
The Angel Ladies'
Network
I am heading back to
bed.... Talk to you later.
Deb
January 6,
2009
Whew
yesterday was intense! I was working on the website for
most of the day and you'll see some new kinds of pulldown
menus on the main landing pages... I'll get to this one a
little later. We just have so much happening and so many
exciting services and products, the website is getting a
little um... unwieldy to navigate at times.
We have a
new
FORUM!
I don't know what happened, but the last one got lost in
cyberspace by the host. So, this one is much better,
since you can access it right on the website. Please read
the registration instructions under NEWS in the forum and
you'll be posting in no time!
We are also sending
out the latest newsletter today, so if you haven't joined
the mailing list, please join us! You'll see the
Subscribe button at the top of the page under the title.
It is safe, secure and best of all, free!
Jean was going to
include this in the newsletter, but the recipe is so long
that our brief little epistle was getting very lengthy.
It is a great and timely goody, so we thought we'd share
it here;
Here is a yummy
king
cake recipe
for those who like to bake for the non-New Orleans
residents who can’t just buy their king cakes at the
grocer or bakery:
For the cake:
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast
2 tbsp warm water (115 degree F)
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp white sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour, already whisked or sifted
1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 sticks cold butter, cut into very small pieces
1 Egg beaten and 2 Tbsp water
1 King Cake Baby (or washed/purified token, such as a
bean or pebble)
Filling (below)
Glaze (below)
Dissolve and proof
yeast the warm water, using the bowl of a stand mixer.
In a small bowl, mix
salt and sugar in milk, stirring till dissolved. Add to
yeast mixture.
Whisk together
cinnamon and flour in a large bowl.
To the proofed yeast,
add eggs, mixing on low speed, then replace beaters with
dough hooks, if available.
Add flour to egg
mixture in small portions, then beat on low speed 8-10
minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Add flour
if needed.
To the dough, add cold
butter in small portions.
Place the dough in a
well-oiled bowl and cover with cling wrap. Allow to rise
for an hour in a warm spot till the dough has doubled in
size. Punch it down, cover with fresh cling wrap, and
refrigerate overnight.
Assembling and
baking the cake:
Oven at 350 degrees F.
Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
Roll dough to a long
rectangle, perhaps 8 x 16 or 6x20.
Spread filling along
the length of the cake, leaving an inch border on all
sides.
Fold the long side of
dough over and place king cake baby before rolling dough
tightly, jelly roll fashion. Press seam to seal.
Place cake, seam side
down, onto cookie sheet, forming a large oval. Place ends
closely together and pinch together, pressing joint
smooth. (Glaze will hide the joint.)
Cover cake with cling
wrap and allow to double in size.
Beat egg with water
for eggwash; brush over cake.
Bake until golden
brown, about 30 minutes.
Cool completely, then
glaze and decorate with colored sugar.
Filling:
1. Pecan
Filling
1 cup packed
brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground
cinnamon
2/3 cup chopped
pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose
flour
1/2 cup melted
butter
Combine all dry
ingredients, then pour butter over, mixing till
crumbly.
2. Traditional
1/2 cup
sugar
1 1/2 t. ground
cinnamon
1/3 cup butter or
margarine, very soft or melted
Brush entire
surface of the dough with butter. Mix sugar and
cinammon,
sprinkle over dough.
3. Cream
Cheese
3/4 cup
sugar
2 (8-ounce)
packages cream cheese, softened
1 large
egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
extract
Beat together at
medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Spread evenly on dough.
Glazes
1.
Plain
3 cups
confectioners (icing, powdered) sugar
3 tbsp melted
butter
1/4 tsp vanilla
extract
2 to 4 tbsp
milk
optional: 1tbsp
lemon juice
Mix butter and
extract, pouring into sugar, stirring to blend. Add
milk till spreadable.
2. Bourbon
Glaze
2 cups
confectioners (icing, powdered) sugar
4 tbsp bourbon (or
other liquor)
Water
Mix sugar and
bourbon, whisk 1- 4 tablespoons water to reach glazing
consistency.
3. Almond
Glaze
3 tablespoons
soft butter or margarine
4 cups
confectioners (icing, powdered) sugar
1 teaspoon almond
extract
4-6 tablespoons
milk
Mix butter, sugar,
and extract, adding enough milk to make
spreadable.
To Color
Sugar:
Put 1/4 cup
white sugar in each of 3 small bowls.
Gold: Add yellow
food coloring to one, stirring to color sugar evenly.
Add drops of coloring, stirring after each addition,
until desired depth of color is reached.
Green: Add green
food coloring to the second, stirring as
before.
Purple: Add 1 or 2
drops each of red and blue food coloring, stirring as
before. Add equal amounts red/blue coloring to deepen
colour, if desired.
Gosh, King Cake is
so delicious. This Angel Lady needs to go and eat a
sensible lunch and we'll see about ingredients for this
marvellous cake...
January
5, 2009
Happy New
Year everyone! We have had a bit of a break in routine
and enjoyed our Christmas holidays thoroughly. Hope you
had a nice holiday time, too!
Today we are back to the
schedule, offering our radio show tonight at 8 p.m. est on
Blogtalkradio
. I'll be
updating the website over the next few days, taking down old
pages and uploading new medallions and products. Don't
forget that Jean is offering very Special "Year
Ahead" readings
only until
January 15th and we are accepting registrations for the last
run of The
Way of the
Angels, which
begins on January 13th.
We've been taking a look
at the many things we've been offering over the past few
years. We have amassed a body of knowledge that is so
helpful to people and we now will be taking some time to
create e-books and other ways to offer the materials.
So, we begin the year
with a list of things to do! We hope that you will take
advantage of the many things that we offer for your best
life. We love what we do and we know that this work is very
important on an individual and a global scale. Please
consider supporting us as this New Year begins - perhaps
a
reading would be
of benefit to you, or a
compass session,
or a
CD, book or
medallion.
In this way, we can continue to dedicate our time to the
work of the angels and assisting those who are on their
spiritual adventures.
Have a great day!
Deb
December 28,
2008
Mother Nature
is on a bender, I think. In the past week, we've
received at least three feet of snow followed by days of
pounding rain that has washed it all away and now, this
morning, gusty, driving winds that are tearing off
branches and tossing them everywhere.
We've gone from -20
C last week to 16C (60F) at the moment, to another deep
freeze as the wind blows through.
I was in the
kitchen making coffee and feeling a little frightened of
the ferocity of the winds. We are surrounded by elderly
trees and I was alarmed by the movement of the skeletal
structures. The Douglas fir outside the back door was
totally in motion, looking as though it was inside an
invisible blender.
When I went to get
the coffee ten minutes later, I discovered that the main
tree in the backyard, shared by our neighbour, had split
in two and was draped across their yard. We had been
worried about the tree for some time as it had a bowed,
wishbone appearance and had mentioned it to the landlord.
I have angels around it to keep the other half up at the
moment. It may be cushioned by the huge fir tree if it
decided to come down, or it may just flatten our back
solarium. Either way, a call to the landlord is in
order.
We love this house,
but leasing, rather than owning has its drawbacks. At
this point in time, it would be impossible for us to buy
a home in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The least expensive begins
around 300K for a smaller place.
And, we are finding
that this home has its drawbacks. Initially, we thought
that Jean could carry out her readings up here in the
front. It is a nice converted sunporch and there is a
sturdy door. It works as a reading room from March to
October, then it is much too chilly to see clients.
With the rise in
elopements this year, I must transform the living room
into a ceremony space a few times each week. The need for
a dedicated room for a chapel and worship space has
become very clear.
So, at the end of
this year, we find ourselves weighing options. We wish to
stay in the area but need a space that can accommodate
our business and personal needs. If we owned the house we
could look at adding on to the building and reconfiguring
space... but, this little place with all the things that
need repair, would be listed at 479K!!
So, we are being
open to the Universe and calling on the angels to assist
with the solution. Many years ago, when we were writing
the Angel book, we were using one computer and finding it
a frustratingly slow go as we each had chapters to work
on.
We took it to the
angels, complaining that they wanted this book written,
but hadn't given us the tools to make work effectively.
They laughed and told us to be open to what came. That
next Sunday, after my main service, a wonderful
parishioner came to say hello. She was beloved, well into
her 80s and basically the parish matriarch. She asked if
I knew anyone who could use a computer. Her son had
bought her a new Mac and she had a PC she didn't
need.
Angels work
fast.
So, we are open to
staying here and open to a new place that is more
amenable to our needs. We know that monies will come, or
a place will present. It may be that someone reading this
has an idea, or is moved to assist us financially, or
actually has a home we could use. It has happened before
and we know that angels are on the case, working for our
highest good. We'll keep you posted.
Ah, the winds are
finally diminishing somewhat. I think I should go and
check on the back tree.
Blessings in your
day,
Deb
December 27,
2008
I hope your holidays have been nice. We've enjoyed a few
very lovely days baking cookies and making treats, and
just enjoying family over a very quiet Christmas. We been
counting our blessings and feeling grateful - especially
when we think back to this time last year and remember
how gravely ill Jean was. This year, we have been
celebrating and enjoying, watching old classic movies and
Christmas shows.
As we come to the
last week in the year, my thoughts always become more
introspective. What was good about 2008? What would I
have done differently? What do I wish to see becoming
reality for my life for 2009?
Today I have a
wedding, but hopefully tomorrow or Monday, I'll be able
to take some time and make a vision board or a treasure
map of the things I wish to attract into my life. It is a
fun and very satisfying activity -- and you can raise
more energy if you try it with a group of
friends.
Have a great
weekend, everyone. Party on!
Deb
December 24, 2008
Well, the countdown
to Christmas Day begins. We have been busy with weddings
and events that time has really zipped by. Most of today
will be spent parked in the kitchen making cookies and
other goodies for the holidays.
It is a quiet
holiday for us this year. Young son Nic is home from
college for the break, but older son Simon is working and
living a few hours away and won't be able to visit. We
may see my sister after Christmas, but it has been so
snowy and stormy that travel is tricky.
I think of the
crazy Christmases past, full of presents and people and
activity. For many years, when the kids were small, we
would have a Christmas with my Ex's family and one with
mine. We often hosted a New Year's party or attended
one.
I was feeling
a little sad about this the other day, missing my beloved
father and grandparents and others who made Christmas
such a magical time. I was missing my friends and my son,
and feeling isolated here in this part of the
world.
Yesterday, I
received news that put it all in perspective. A dear
friend's aunt passed away on Monday very suddenly. When
I was a teen, I was virtually adopted into my best
friend's family and by extension, her cousin's. Aunt
Connie shared my birthday and was such a kind, generous
woman. She was quick to hug and offer a compliment, and
there was always a smile in her eyes. Of all the people
in the landscape of my young adult life, Aunt Connie
taught me so much about being welcome and open.
I know her family
is devastated by her loss. She was a truly good woman and
the world has been enriched by her time with us. I know I
have.
So, today I find
myself grateful for this present moment. I am blessed
with love, with work I love, with support and
encouragement on every side. I love this little home,
even if sometimes it feels far away from family and
friends. Niagara-on-the-Lake is magical and I would
really miss it if we had to move
elsewhere.
It will be a lovely
Christmas Eve, eating goodies and watching movies. What
is lacking in presents is made up for by the genuine love
and joy that being together brings.
I wish you and
yours and wonderful time together, whatever the
celebration. May your connection and the happiness found
there find a new depth of appreciation. Our time here is
limited. May we give love and be embraced by love every
day, but especially now, at this wonderful time of
year.
And, remember,
those whom we have loved, who are no longer here
physically, are still with us in Spirit and surround us
with their love even now. Love never dies or fades away.
If you but close your eyes and think of your loved ones,
you'll feel their response lighting your heart. How
blessed we are.
Peace,
Deb
Dec. 28,
2008
So I'm watching
Martha. She has, as always, something stunning to show us
and it's so EASY to do at home....I am mesmerized: she is
working with glitter and I'm instantly attracted to
anything that sparkles so there I sit with tongue
out.
"Just apply the
glue," she says, showing how to put glue onto the bird.
Well, I've had my glue problems in the past...but I am an
optimistic kinda gal, so ok. "And cover the bird with
this beyoooooTTTTTyful glitter...I'm using this lovely
blue..." (dipping an ice scoop into a Rubbermaid Tough
Tote filled with about 25 pounds of glitter) "which is
the exact shade of blue I saw in the baldacchino in a
lovely old Italian church..." (scooping that glitter for
all she's worth)
"It was actually
the highlight in one of the flowers and I remember saying
to myself that we'd have to use that particular shade in
something....and just shake off the glitter... Mine is
called Baldacchino Italiano Blue Glitter and is available
at craft stores and Marthastewartonline of course.... And
there is our beyooooTTTTTyful bird ready for the tree.
How simple but how very elegant..."
The camera pans
over a row of birds, from chickadees to fantasy birds
with their various markings in different colours of
glitter, all looking quite fabulous. Ok, I can glue, I
can pour, and I can shake so I figure I'm in
business.
I get out my
ziplock bag of glitter bottles. I have a bunch of
glitters, all in small bottles, no two bottles filled
with the same shade. Never having been to Italy, I choose
a bottle of gold glitter which is the precise shade of
gold that is used for glitter and sometimes those
chenille stems. Martha and I obviously move in different
circles, but fine. Not having enough to warrant using a
mondo plastic container, I take a large paper plate to
contain the glitter.
Not having a
'dimensional bird' (translation: one of those bird picks
you see at the craft store), I quickly glue some pieces
of watercolour paper together and draw a few stylized
birdies onto them. Noting that it is indeed a small
bottle of glitter, I quickly paint the birds yellowish
orange in case my coverage is not as full and thick as
Marty's. Once they dry, quite nice and flat, I note with
some pride, I am ready to roll.
I smear glue over
one side of one bird and set it aside while I glue one
side of a second bird. I open the bottle of glitter and
the cap drops glitter all over my table as I set it
aside. No matter, I reassure myself. I can shake the
glitter off all the papers under my paper plate. I gently
pour the glitter over the first bird and tap gently to
shake off the excess. Most of the glitter drops onto the
plate.
Uh-oh, I think.
Glue has begun to dry! I grab the second bird and shake
glitter, hoping that I am in time. Not exactly, though a
large spot of glue has held a mound of glitter, making
the bird look as though it has a tumor on its poor wing.
"Medic!" I think merrily and try to flatten the bump. Ah,
the glue under the mound was wet and so my finger now has
a glittertumor on its tip.
I carefully set the
bird down on the plate and try to rub off the litter with
a tissue. Hmm, that Aleene sure knows how to make glue, I
think to myself, observing that my glittertumor seems to
have a rather large tissue flag attached to it. I rub it
off with my free hand which has somehow gotten fairly
sparkly itself. No matter. I press on.
I apply glue to the
back side of bird one and glitter, emptying the bottle.
Tap and set aside, I murmur gently but alas, having
tapped with too-great enthusiasm, the glitter has drifted
to my sweater and skirt. I lean over the plate and shake
the fabric and a sparkling cascade of glitter and a few
cat hairs settle onto the plate.
I take the second
bird and quickly apply a bit of glue to the back and
glitter it. By now I have emptied the bottle so I take a
small piece of paper to scoop glitter from the plate. Ok,
scoop is too generous a term; I'm scraping.
Returning to the
first bird, and now a little concerned by the small
amount of glue left, I examine the first side of it which
got such thin coverage. I'll put glue in the thinnest
spots, I tell myself, and look for the paper onto which
I've squirted the glue. I find it, eventually, stuck to
the outer side of my hand. By now I'm getting a little
concerned about the small amount of glitter I have left
but I do my best. Finally the birds are glittered ... not
exactly to my satisfaction, but they
sparkle.
I hand them to Deb
for placement on the tree. She hangs them onto the tree.
They sparkle gorgeously. I am pleased. She returns to me.
"You know," she muses, as she admires the tree "maybe
next time you could do stars or hearts instead of
fish."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec. 17,
2008
Good
morning!
Well, we awoke to a
nice bunch of snow on the ground. The snow plow woke me
at some ungodly hour and I've been awake ever
since.
I remember the days
when I slept in past 11 a.m. When I was younger, I would
stay up late and sleep in late. I had no difficulty
sawing logs till the sun was high in the
sky.
Now I am lucky to
sleep past 7 a.m. - even on weekends. Ever since the kids
came along, I have been a light sleeper. Add to that a
cockapoo that hogs the bed and a restless cat who thinks
she can wake me whenever she has the urge... and well, it
isn't pretty. I haven't had my beauty sleep in many a
moon.
I used to be the
queen of sneaking naps, but even that has gone by the
wayside. The phone rings, the above-mentioned cat knocks
on the door if it is closed, *sigh* so, I am reconciled
to being sleep-deprived for some time to
come.
Today I am putting
sets of medallions together. It came to me that it would
be a powerful thing to match up various kinds of
medallions with things that people are working on, or
working through. I am thinking a set of medallions for
healing, spiritual quest and life purpose, and grief/loss
as well as general sets for blessing, archangels etc.
Check for the new uploaded page later
today.
Well, time to get
the coffeemaker started. Have a safe and happy day where
ever you are in this big ol' world.
Deb
Dec. 15, 2008
Hi all,
Hope you had a
great weekend. Here in NOTL it was fairly busy, with the
Santa Claus parade drawing lots of people. From our
house, we can see the parade as it goes along a
sidestreet before it turns up and then along the main
street, so we see it coming and going! LOL Lots of bands
and exciting music, and a great Santa float to wind it
up.
We sent out a
little update yesterday talking about all the things we
have been uploading. I've been working on a set of
prayer
beads
inspired by the angels, and also some
crosses
that energetically assist to transform our circumstances
to a more peaceful and joyful experience.
We've also posted
the online Holiday
Boutique,
which has special prices on many of our items. It is in
effect until the end of the year, but there is still time
to send an order before Christmas if you send it
ASAP.
Of course, the
fastest and easiest gift you can give a loved one is an
Angel
Ladies' gift certificate.
And Jean is
offering a special reading to preview the year ahead! It
is a combination angel/card reading and takes a look at
the issues and potential opportunities of the upcoming
year. The reading can take as long as 90 minutes and is
available onsite, or via telephone. It is a deal at $100!
Check out the details on Jean's page.
http://theangelladies.com/jean_porche_readings.htm
Whew! I am tired
just writing all of that.
Today, I am
heading to Kitchener to pick up young son Nic who is
finished classes for the year. We'll have to boot it back
before tonight's internet radio show. We are taking this
time to talk about the third theme of the Advent season
as we head into the holidays. Hope you can join us for
this inspirational and light-hearted hour. We begin at 8
p.m. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-angel-ladies
Have a great day,
everyone!
Deb
December 11, 2008
Gosh, we are almost
half-way through December and coming up on another
year.
We've been trying to
have some down time, but when you have your own business,
it is sometimes difficult to totally clear the schedule.
So, we've been focusing on doing things we enjoy -- like
working with clay and paints.
Saturday is the Santa
Claus Parade here in town and we will be open early and
hosting a Holiday Boutique. We'll have books, jewellery,
domino art and other fun things displayed and Jean will
be offering mini-readings. So, we are preparing for that
in the next few days. If you are in the area, we hope you
can join us.
Today, I'll be taking
photos of everything to post on our online Holiday
Boutique. There is still time to receive things by mail
before Christmas.
Remember to check out
Jean's delightful book, "Nellie Looya and the Special
Babe," found on the Gate
Street Books
site. We have
a few copies left and can get it into the mail to you
today!
Well, folks, time to
make coffee and get the day started. Have a wonderful
one!
Deb
Dec. 9, 2008
Hi
all,
Well, winter is
definitely here. I woke up to a few inches more snow.
It's garbage day and I am not looking forward to
tromping around out there in the cold. Grumble...
grumble.
We have been
working non-stop lately and I think it is time for a
break! You'll see above that we are launching the
prayer beads that were inspired by the angels. Jean
channeled the prayers and they are very powerful! We
know that they'll be a blessing to all who use
them.
We are planning
level I of the Way of the Angels course. This six-week
online course offers a fairly comprehensive
introduction to who and what angels are and gets you
receiving messages from your own angels. There are a
few teleclasses involved and an online group that can
be very active - a community of likeminded people
sharing about angels and life and understandings. We
hope that you can join us!
http://theangelladies.com/angel_ladies_way_of_the_an.htm
Today, we are
having fun playing with art. I am making some clay
creations and Jean is playing with paint. We have some
appointments on the books, but it is a day for some
downtime.
Well, time to head
out and do that garbage thing.... Have a great day,
everyone.
Deb
Dec.5,
2008
Yes! We've finally
updated this journal.
Holy cow, it has been
busy around here. We've been working on so many projects
and have seen things come to completion. It has been a
great couple of weeks!
What have we been
doing? We finished, published and promoted the
"Entering
the Mystery"
book of daily
reflections. (It isn't too late to jump in with daily
reflections to soothe and enhance your spiritual
appreciation of the season.)
The ETM book looked so
awesome that we pushed to finish Jean's delightful
children's book, "Nellie
Looya and the Special Babe."
Jean recorded
the story and cover art and I layed it out and edited the
CD.
I've been writing a
book about prayer. While prayer is a very simple action,
over the years, people have asked how to do it, or have
been worried that their prayers weren't very effective.
This little book explains the energy of prayer, types of
prayer and includes some prayers to assist you.
 And,
along with working on this book on prayer, we are about to
launch an Angel Ladies' version of prayer beads. Like the
rosary and other prayer tools, it is a way to assist with
your prayers for the world, your loved ones and yourself.
We've been told to call the prayers that accompany the beads
the "Nine Universal Blessings."
The prayer beads will be
announced later today. I am very proud of them. Like all
things that I create, they are energized and blessed and
contain beautiful hand-made beads.
Jean will be posting
December tarotscopes later today. In the midst of it all,
her computer went on the fritz, with the scopes in them.
Of course, we've been
having so much fun with the internet radio show. You cna
check out the link
here and hear the
archived shows, too!
Have a great weekend
everyone. I think that I'll attempt to put some christmas
lights up today -- and maybe the tree.
Deb
November 21,
2008
Today
in NOTL - Chilly, damp and snowy. Brrrrr.
Well, it looks like a
busy weekend coming up. We have two weddings here this
morning and I have two weddings in town tomorrow. Just
waiting for the coffee to brew and then I have to turn the
living room into a "chapel."
I love this house, but I
sure wish that there was an extra room where we could do
weddings, workshops and services. Because the house is
small, the living room tends to be the multi-purpose room,
and that involves reorganizing according to
event.
All in good time, I
guess.
The latest newsletter is
out. If you haven't signed up yet, just click the button on
the top of the screen to join up.
Also - you'll see the
blue box directly above this note about our new December
reflections. We feel this is one of the very best things
we've produced. It not only helps you with a quiet time of
connection every day, it invites you to consider the beloved
people of the Christmas story and see how their experience
can apply to your life! We love it!
Beginning Nov. 30th, we
are dedicating our Sunday evening internet radio show to
talking about the great themes of the Christmas story -
trust, love, hope, empowerment, creativity, miracle... We
invite you to take an hour and listen in. And, to enhance
your own experience of the journey to the holidays, we hope
you'll order the book. We are offering the e-book and
journal for a pdf download of only $15!
The spiral-bound book is
absolutely beautiful and will be a nice companion in your
daily spiritual connection.
For more information,
jsut click on the link in the blue box above.
Have a great day,
wherever you are!
Deb
November 18,
2008
Today
in NOTL: Partly cloudy and cold, with temps at a chilly
-1C/30F at nearly-noon.
After a rather thin
sleep last night, I was ready for my wake-up cup of coffee
this morning. I have a cup every day, and like most folks I
know, I really enjoy my coffee.
But today - !
Sometimes you get a cup of coffee in which coffee and water
come together with a precision nothing short of magical. And
that was what happened this morning.
It was a cup of bliss,
no question. It was heaven in a cup. It was hot and smooth
and perfect on the tongue.
Coffee like that makes
waking up worthwhile.
Jean
November 15,2008
Today in NOTL: Chilly,
damp, rainy. A gorgous day!!!
Have you heard of The
Onion? It's a satirical website with articles that parody
top stories and so on. Sometimes they're killingly funny,
sometimes only amusing, and sometimes they are works of art.
Here is one I absolutely love. http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28151
Jean
November 14,
2008
Today in NOTL: At
nearly-noon, we're at our high temp of 16C/60F under partly
cloudy skies. It's a bit breezy, with a colder front coming
into the area, but gorgeous!
I've been having an
adventure on Facebook. I forgot who encouraged me to sign up
- Deb suggested it months ago but it was over my head - but
I finally made a Facebook page.
That was interesting,
and I found some of my friends there, which was fun. Folks
who don't email me will leave messages for me on Facebook,
so we're able to keep in touch, which is
great.
I was somewhere in
'my' Facebook where I saw a list of 'groups' the program
felt I might be interested in joining. There was one for
Christians, which seemed to be ecumenical and open, so I
joined. The group had a discussion board, so I peeped in.
*thud* What a
poisonous gang!
Every thread - whether
it was devoted to a controversial topic like abortion or
just 'let's get along as Christ asks us to do!' - ended up
hijacked by rabid thumpers who wanted to bash Christians who
had differing ideas and beliefs. One fellow in particular
posted thoughtful questions in the gentlest and most
gracious manner possible yet was repeatedly bashed by
alleged-Christians who, frankly, seemed to have barely
skimmed his postings.
Again and again,
thread after thread - people would post open-minded and
gracious comments...and the rabid folks would jump in and
harp at them.
WHY?????? Why are
people who profess to be Christian so MEAN??? Where in
Jesus's teachings do they find support for treating **fellow
Christians** with such a lack of love? I may be stupid, but
I don't see where that is mandated or even tolerated by
Jesus.
Why is it so hateful
to them even to consider, for just a moment, that there
MIGHT be other ways to demonstrate their fidelity to Jesus?
Or that there MIGHT be other ways to be Christian that are
just as acceptable?
Sheesh, live and let
live.
Jean
November 11,
2008
Today in
NOTL:
Chilly this morning, with the nearly-10 a.m. temp a cool
4C/39F. IT won't warm up much. Our high today is only
6C/42F with only a bit of sun peeking through the clouds.
Brr!
I've been thinking
of snow lately. We only saw a spit of snow/rain mix a
week or so back; it didn't even hit the ground as flakes.
Nearby Guelph, we hear, saw snow yesterday, so we'll
surely get a few flakes soon.
A friend
commissioned four domino pendants from me - four snowmen
- so I've been drawing snowmen in miniature (dominos are
only 1inch by 2 inches). I've done four but will be doing
more so she'll be able to choose the four she wants. The
remainder will be sold online or here at the cottage or
perhaps another craft show.
Deb had a wonderful
day at the TTNO conference on Saturday. The ladies love
her medallions, which means a lot: they are all active
energy workers, so their sensing the angelic presence
with each medallion is a real confirmation of Deb's work
with the clay. They also liked my domino pendants and cat
pins very much, too, so I was pleased.
We'll be making
some changes to the way we do things online, I think. The
slower winter season is upon us here in
Niagara-on-the-Lake, so we have time to devote to the
site. I've been working on a Tough Times manual, and I
hope to have that finished this week. A few other things
in the hopper as well... We're not kidding when we say
clear the decks when you invite the Angels on board!
Hope your day is
going wonderfully well!
Jean
November 9,
2008
Today in
Niagara: at nearly-noon, it's cool and breezy with temps
of 7C/44F under cloudy skies. Later, a chance of rain but
remaining cool with a high of 8C/46F.
Did you catch the View
discussing Prop 8 in California? For those who may be
unaware, the California State Supreme Court overturned
the ban on gay marriage, ruling it as a deprivation of
rights to gay and lesbian cities, some time ago. Since
then, gay marriage has been legal.
The Mormon church,
secretly funding anti-gay marriage ads and so on under
the banner of the Roman Catholic church, and other
opponents mounted a campaign to push through an amendment
to the state constitution to strip this right from gay
couples. Proposition 8 was the item on the ballot; those
voting Yes wished to deny marriage rights to gay
couples.
The proposition
passed, and now there is some talk of revoking the
legality of the gay marriages performed during the window
of time during which the marriages were legal.
On the View, this
issue was one of the 'Hot Topics' discussed by the women.
I should note that only Whoopi and Barbara seemed to have
any understanding of the issue outside the realm of
church. Sherri and Elizabeth, bless them, are typical of
that blank-eyed radical who can only spout the
information - or, in this case disinformation - that they
have been given by others in power.
Sherri, especially, is
really ignorant of religious matters. I say this in the
true meaning of ignorant - someone who is unaware,
unschooled, untaught. In one View segment, she argued
that Jesus came before Genesis which is funny and
horrifying at the same time. She has faith, boy, but what
she doesn't know ... *swoon*
Elizabeth is ignorant,
too, but it is the rigid ignorance of one who says, "I
choose to believe this; don't confuse me with facts."
Unlike Sherri, who displays a real sincerity and
humanity, Elizabeth is one of those rabid rightwinger
thumpers who close down and refuse even to listen to
points of view that do not line up with what they have
chosen to believe.
The point of the
discussion that prompts this post was Elizabeth's comment
that a pastor in some other country was jailed for
speaking out against gay marriage and that could happen
in the states. I didn't check it, don't know if it's
true, and don't care as it's immaterial to this blog.
Sherri, too, had heard this widely publicized fear and
was deeply concerned about it.
I was amazed that
these women didn't realize the first amendment protection
and how broadly it is applied in the US. Despite the
legislation of civil rights, the KKK is alive and well,
and skinheads and groups promote prejudice freely, even
being protected by police at public events. Despite the
legality of divorce, the Roman Catholic church routinely
speaks out against divorce. Despite the legality of
abortion, pastors across the US speak out against
abortion.
Nobody gets jailed for
speaking against laws. In Massachusetts, where gay
marriage has been legal for years, pastors continue to
rail against it freely and refuse to perform gay
marriages. There is no basis for a belief that pastors
refusing to perform gay marriages or speaking out against
it would be jailed in California or any other state.
This is
disinformation.
Disinformation is a
powerful tool of those who would control the masses. It's
a type of propaganda tactic.
It works, as we see
across America as churches which regularly condemn each
other as not Christian enough or not Godly enough etc
join together.
One has to wonder why
they would. They certainly don't join together to
eliminate divorce, which none other than the big JC,
among whose claims to fame is being the Only Begotten Son
of the Ever Living God, solidly condemned.
One has to wonder why
the rabid drooling religious right is ok with something
Jesus condemned and not ok with something the only-human
Leviticus and Paul condemned, particularly in light of
JC's healing the centurian's servant.
We know that people do
things because there is a payoff of some kind for them.
What is the payoff for the churches in fighting gay
rights?
It bears thought.
Jean
November 6,
2008
Today in NOTL: At 8
a.m., it's foggy under cloudy skies and cool, with temps at
6C/42F. Later we'll see the sun and it will warm up a bit to
9C/48F. A great day!
Well, the US elections are over and I am back at
blogging. Honestly, it was just too hard for me to blog
without making really ugly comments as the campaign got
nastier and sank to ever-lower depths.
But halleluiah,
it's over, Obama was successful, and it feels as though a
new day has dawned. It has been feeling a bit like
Christmas, actually. Remember how, when you were a child,
you'd wake up and then remember - oh, yeah, I have a
bike/puppy/dollhouse or whatever wonderful gift you'd
been hoping and praying you'd get? That's how I have been
feeling.
Now that the tourist
season in Niagara has quieted, we Angel Ladies are busily
working on projects that take the back seat during the
season. Deb has made a batch of Messengers and they are
gorgeous. I've made dozens of dominos and they look
pretty fab if I say so myself.
And now we're working
on finishing writing projects that were waiting for us.
The Advent meditation book, Entering
the Mystery,
is ready for Deb to set up for downloads. I'm tying up
loose ends on a few other items as well.
We're like the
squirrels outside, busy busy but busy is good.
Hope you're having
good days, too, wherever you are!
Jean
October 29, 2008
Thanks for checking in and
seeing what we've been up to lately.
Actually, we are a little bleary-eyed
but happy! Jean is merrily working on her
gorgeous
dominoes and I am making some
new angel
messengers in anticipation of
the therapeutic touch convention in a few
weeks.
AND, we are soooooo excited! Besides
doing the radio show (which goes live today at 3:30 EST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-angel-ladies)
we have created a new show for Holy Angels and will
be airing a time of Divine Connection on Sunday mornings.
You can check out the profile here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Holy-Angels-Parish
We see it as a way to connect with
those, who like us, are catholic or anglican and missing
that Sunday time of prayer and teaching. We hope you can
join us, and if you have a prayer request, please send it
along to office@holyangelsministries.com
October 27, 2008
What is it about time? There are some days when there
is just not enough of it to do everything, and other days
when it drags around like a mopey teenager.
I have to confess that I have been
getting through a nasty bug that just won't let go. While
I am not coughing up a lung anymore, I am still feeling
it in my system. Time for this thing to go -- there is
too much to do!
Over the weekend, we posted two new
pages on the website. One is in response to the phone
calls we've been getting in the last month. So many folks
are fearful and worried, coping with transitions and
changes. The angels remind us that despite appearances,
we have everything we need to find joy... but that is
often hard to see. So, we have posted a page of products
and downloads that we know have helped people at special
prices.
http://theangelladies.com/angel_ladies_tough_times_p.htm
And, Jean has been having a ball
working at her art. She has been doing artist trading
cards, and lately has started working with dominoes. The
results are fabulous and so, she is offering them on a
special page. We think they'll make great stocking
stuffers. You can see them here: http://theangelladies.com/angelladies_jeansshop.htm
Oh! Today is Monday, so if you are
online tonight at 8 p.m. EST be sure to tune in and join
us live for our internet radio show, You can go to
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-angel-ladies
to listen, or visit anytime to hear the archived
shows!
Just discovered that the coffee can is
empty... time for a run to the store!
Have a great day,
Deb
October 20,
2008
Apologies for not
being here for awhile. Things around the Cottage have
been busy as I have been finishing up the new Daybreaks
CD. I am really proud of it. It is a lovely way to start
and end the day, filled with gentle reflections,
affirmations, and connections with Divine Love and
angels.
Jean has finished the
"Entering the Mystery" project, which is a 26-day
reflection into Christmas for people of all
spiritualities. It is wonderful and I know it will be a
wonderful addition to your daily reflection time. It will
be available soon as an e-book, but will also be
available as a hard copy and also in audio.
The past week has been
a blur... not because of busyness, but because of a
terrible virus that Number 2 son brought home at
Thanksgiving. I haven't had a bug like this in
years! And, of course, there is no time to be sick. There
were weddings on the books and the CD to finish. Mind
you, I was not firing on all cylinders, so the CD is
wrapping up today. Two more reflections to edit, and then
I can put everything together.
Jean got the bug too,
although with all the vitamins, supplements and healthy
things she has been doing, she has really surfed through
this with flying colours.
Anyway, I should have
most of a voice for our internet radio show tonight at 8
p.m. We are having so much fun with it! We even have
callers phoning most shows!! So, if you find yourself at
the computer tonight at 8 p.m. visit
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-angel-ladies
and have a listen!
Have a great day and
wash your hands a lot!
Deb
October 10,
2008
You'll notice that
Jean hasn't posted for awhile. She has been afraid that
when her blogs of late have been a tad... um... taken up
with US politics. So, I am going to pick up the pen, or
keyboard today.
It is early in the
morning. I was up getting ready for the water guy to come
and test the quality (a ministry of health thing from the
town) and the phone rings. It is unusually early for a
call, so I answer thinking it is the water
guy,
It is a groom for an
elopement next week. They had phoned earlier in this week
and I had talked to him and then the bride. They paid
their deposit and I got the info I needed. I get rush
weddings from time to time so all was well. Or so I
thought.
He begins the
conversation by telling me he is aware that my chat with
his fiancee didn't go well. Okay... I'm half asleep, but
I would have remembered that. In fact, we had a pleasant
chat about vow options and readings.
I told him that I was
unaware of any problem... what could it be?
Well, she was upset
apparently because I told her I did same-sex weddings.
She didn't tell ME that, but the groom got an
earful.
The thing is, had she
expressed her views on that, I would have listened. I
know that not everyone is on-side with this issue and I
can respect where they are coming from. When I was first
ordained back in the 80s, people actually walked out of
church when I was preaching or presiding because they
didn't believe women should be ordained. I couldn't
take that personally, because the people in question
didn't know me,
Once we built a
relationship, there wasn't even a question. They saw that
God was working through my ministry and that of other
ordained women.
I feel certain that if
this bride had expressed her thoughts, she would have
found that I was quite understanding and probably would
have decided to go through with the wedding with me. I am
not marrying a gay or lesbian couple in their presence, I
am officiating at THEIR heterosexual wedding. As it was,
they decided to go with another minister.
That is one reason why
the deposit is non-refundable.
This is a first for
me. I cannot take it personally, because they don't know
me. But I do one heckuva great ceremony for
ALL couples, and I am very proud of that. And
I know that God is served in my ministry. I bless
them to their good, and I bless me to mine. And, as
always, I bless you in your day!
Deb
September 22,
2008
Well, it is the first
full day of Autumn and there really is a shift in Mother
Nature's energy. Suddenly, the leaves are starting to
have that "ready to turn" look and squirrels are becoming
more industrious daily. Outside grocery stores are
displays of orange, yellow and green gourds and squash.
Apples are coming into harvest. Welcome,
Autumn.
There are still a lot
of people visiting town and this is the best time of the
year to do so, really. The heat and the crowds of July
and August aren't to everyone's liking, so now is a more
relaxed way to visit the unique stores, and of course,
pay a visit to the Angel Ladies' cottage.
I am almost finished
with the editing of the new daily
affirmation/prayer/inspirational meditation CD Daybreaks.
I am really proud of it. I had intended for it to be a
morning and evening connection kind of thing, but it
became something much more. The angels have a way of
doing that. So, every morning there is a five minute
session that includes a little reflection, a
mini-coaching/empowerment exercise, a little connection
with the angels to get your day off to a great start, and
an affirmation to carry you through the day.
The evening session is
a little longer and is a wind-down, stress relieving time
that helps you release anxiety, stress and the worries of
the day, preparing the way for a lovely and restful
sleep.
There are 14
meditations on the CD and as you go through the week, the
angels tell me there will be a shift in your attitude,
increased attraction to joy and prosperity and benefits
on every level of your life. Listen to it for a month,
and there will be profound changes for the better!
There is a pre-order
special which you
can find here.
We have had several orders and I am anxious to hear
feedback once people have had a chance to listen to it
for awhile.
Gosh, we've been so
busy working on some exciting things. Jean is about to
announce the completion of a project that is near and
dear to our hearts... I'll let her reveal it to you all
in her wonderful words.
For right now,
there is one more very exciting thing to tell you
about!
Eons ago, I was
journalism student. I loved every aspect of the course
but I found that what I loved absolutely the best was
radio. We had quite an extensive radio broadcast unit and
I volunteered for Ryerson radio. I LOVED it. To me,
heaven was sitting in that cork-lined, windowless booth
with yellow pages of news copy, letting my voice carry
the feeling of the words.
I apparently
sounded very attractive because often, I
would often leave the booth to find several male students
in the hall waiting to meet the girl behind the voice.
Well, I was more like Janeane Garafalo and they were
looking for Uma Thurman.... Of course, I never admitted
to being the reader. I would tell them she'd be out
in a minute. LOL
The power of radio has
always fascinated me. I listen to a lot of CBC radio and
of course, CHFI. Over the course of time you build a kind
of relationship with the hosts and personalities of the
medium. It is warm and intimate and there is a quality
that you just don't experience with TV and the radio.
More imagination in play, I guess... like those guys in
the hall long ago.
What a great delight
it was to have Erin Davis (morning host of CHFI) visit us
this past Spring with her friend and to have an ongoing
realtime acquaintance. Erin is a deeply spiritual woman,
growing in the journey and fascinated with the work that
we do. Funny how things cross over like
that and intersect to form friendships.
Anyway, I digress. :)
Tomorrow, we are
launching our internet radio show, "The Inspiration
Zone." Internet gives us a platform to bring the message
of the angels and Love to a thirsting world. We get so
many emails from people who are going through challenges
and transitions and we hope that this is one way that we
can assist.
We are on air at 3
p.m. to 4 p.m. EST, which should be a good time for the
folks in Britain who have been wanting to have
telesessions with us! Tell you friends to listen to us
and even call in if they have questions.
Here is the
link:
If you can't listen
"live," you can always hear the archived programs. We
hope you can join us - and let us know what you
think!
Deb
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