A little bit of this and a little bit of that

This has been an interesting eighteen months for me and Lynn. Of course it started off with our move in October (2007) to what everyone out here in Illinois calls "God's country" (Chicagoland/Aurora/Naperville area). It was a year ago May (2008) when I was given a clean bill of health.

We have found in our lovely area wonderful friends, fantastic scenery, and remarkable architecture (both God made and manmade). I have enjoyed traipsing through downtown Chicago and other areas that have a historical and sentimental nature behind them. We have had family and friends who have visited us in our new surroundings.

We have visited our surrounding neighbor states, such as Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin, and plan to have more excursions of discovery, especially to the lower part of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, etc.

Lynn’s contract with the Army Reserve is going superbly. I am still searching for that elusive and illusive job position, which I know is just around the corner.

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago and the doctors feel strongly that they have removed all the cancerous tissues. Her chemo and radiation treatments will be completed by the end of the year.

Lynn and I continue to have nieces and nephews that are leaving a remarkable and lasting legacy for their friends and family (such as their Aunt and Uncle) to follow. I have a mother (and Lynn has a mother-in-law, but really she’s his mother-of-love) in my life that I cherish and love with all my heart.

We feel truly blessed and eager, but somewhat anxious, to see what’s ahead for us in the next few years. I know though as I go through this life that I will go forth boldly and strongly because of my sweet and dear companion, Lynn. - - Of that, I have no doubt. Three things are certain in our lives. One, Lynn and I have each other, now and forever. Two, we have a remarkable loving family support system; and three, which is the most important thing to us, is our belief and trust in God.

-Shelly

Summers Last Fling

Naperville had summer’s last fling on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Labor Day). We went, along with our friends Donna and Daryl Miyasaki. The Last Fling had tons of things to do, along with food to eat, and things to see. We had fun watching tossing and pole events from the Highland Games. Saturday was also a day for the dogs!!! Dogs were in their element as they ran and caught Frisbees at a dog’s Frisbee competition.

Donna has been a constant source of comfort to me over the last few months. A few weeks ago she was afflicted with Bells Palsy. Her affliction though didn’t stop her from having a great time in Naperville. We had a barbecue and a fun card game on Labor Day to celebrate our friendship.

With cool air and a down pour of rain today, seeing pictures from our ‘Last Fling of Summer’ makes me feel warm inside. (now .... if my family will note, in a few pictures how big my smile is and what I have in my hand ... it's COTTON CANDY!!!)

-Shelly

A Garden Party

Every spring the Naperville’s business community sponsors artists to paint sculptures that dot Naperville’s downtown and Riverpark landscape. The first few pictures, within this slide show, are taken of Naperville's downtown community. Several of the sides of Naperville's buildings are painted with lovely murals. Bronze statues pose elegantly along city benches, outside of Starbucks Coffee, the public library, etc. all year long.

Naperville's seasonal statues have a theme this year titled, ‘Garden Party’. They are on display throughout the summer. In September the sculptures will be auctioned off. The donations will then go to Naperville’s United Way.

fyi: There are a few frog chairs and dragonfly benches that have caught my eye much to Lynn’s chagrin. If I bid on a few frogs and dragonflies statues I might come away from the auction as a new owner of a chair or bench; then, I have no idea where we will put it in our townhouse.
-Shelly

Moser Tower and the Millennium Carillon

One of the special landmarks in Naperville (Illinois) is Moser Tower & the Millennium Carillon, which can be found in Naperville's Riverway Parkway. Moser Tower is 14 stories high and is a few feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The tower houses one of the fourth largest carillon bells in the world. Seventy-two bells span 6 full octaves and range in weight from 10 pounds to 5.5 tons. The largest bell is known as Big Joe and it strikes hourly. The carillon bells play tunes daily at 11:00am, 4:00pm and 7:00pm.

Within Moser Tower is a place known as the Carilloneur’s Cabin. This is the stage from where musicians, from around the world, play Tuesday evenings from Memorial Day thru the end of September.

An elevator will take passengers up about half way to get a good look at the carillons, while “active" enthusiasts can climb the remaining stairs to an open air observation tower. From the observation tower, one can see downtown Naperville, the Riverwalk Parkway, and on a real clear dar, the Chicago skyline.

-Shelly

Springtime in Naperville, IL

Today was a picture perfect day! To prove our point, here are just a few of the pictures we took of Naperville's riverwalk parkway and downtown Naperville. The warm weather brought out the two and four legged animals along with our webbed footed friends. :)
Even though we are in Aurora, Naperville is a hop, skip and a jump away from us.