Saturday, December 15, 2012
No Words Today...
Read "On This Day" at Sing Teach Run and "Twelve Years From Now" at Forever in First.
If you are touched by what you read, please share these posts with your blog readers. May God comfort the hearts of the families in Newton, and may He bless each of you.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Not Quite Ready...
Before I go, here are some music videos that I love. They may help you greet this Christmas season with a little more peace, hope, and joy.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another New Video...
Monday, December 5, 2011
It's December, and Changes Just Keep Coming...
My youngest son received his High School Diploma this fall. It was a long journey for him, overcoming illness and delays. We still haven't planned a celebration, but hope to do that in the spring. He is looking at schools and making decisions on what he wants to do. He is still very interested in computer engineering, producing videos, and continuing with his cello. Recently, he built his own PC! It has all the bells and whistles that he's always wanted. He's also started a fitness plan and is dropping weight! I may have to hire him as my trainer. Maybe after the holidays are over with.
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| My youngest, EJ, building his own computer! |
My oldest son was living with us for the past few months. He found a roommate that he gets along with very well, and they found their dream apartment. It's in the upstairs of an old home. It's so nice. He moved over Thanksgiving weekend. I'm thankful that he's just in the next town. He already told me he plans to come to our home for Christmas Eve and spent the night! I'm glad of that. I'm not quite ready to give up my Christmas mornings with my boys. I will probably never be.
My niece leaves for Seattle on Friday morning. I'm going to miss her so much. She's been my Gilmore Girls and movie buddy. It just won't be the same without her around. I'm definitely going to feel it on Christmas Eve, which is our traditional holiday time together. She's rooming with her sis and friends, so she already has a home waiting. She'll be joining the music scene in Seattle, and I hope this will jump start a career for her. She has awesome talent!
Speaking of Christmas, I have to share this YouTube video. This is my cousin, Laurie and honorary cousin, Tammy. They created a Christmas CD last year, and this is one of the songs from it. Don't forget to pause my Playlist first. This is one of my very favorite Christmas songs. I hope it blesses you.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Giveaways and A Night Out
Donna, of Brynwood Needleworks is hosting two Giveaways! The first is a Valentine's Giveaway and the second is The Brynwood Needleworks 200th Follower Giveaway. Donna has put together an amazing assortment of items for each of the giveaways. To sign up go HERE and look for the two separate posts.Stephanie of Rose Petals and Rust is hosting "A Sweet Giveaway" and this lovely necklace is the prize. It is a soldered charm necklace with vintage lace and a forget me not inside. To enter this giveaway, go HERE.
I try to post links to all the giveaways I know about. There are so many generous and talented people in the land of blogging.
Sometime, hopefully in the very near future, I will be hosting one of my own.
Now on to other things. I had the most amazing time last evening. For the second day in a row, I was feeling well enough to get out of the house. My cousin Laurie treated Lana (my lil sis) and I to dinner out. It was so nice to go out to a restaurant. The meal was delicious, but the best part was the visiting. We always find so many things to talk and laugh about. I was glad the restaurant wasn't busy, so we didn't feel rushed. Gathering together with people you love is like a mini vacation. It lifted my spirits and reminded me how important it is to keep connections with family and friends.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday Scribblings - Tattoo
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Soak...
It was relaxing and uplifting. Following was a meeting of our volunteers that are working at this summers Youth Camp. I love camp, and am planning to go this year. They are very kind to me and usually give me a job helping with the afternoon snack bar. My husband will be helping in the kitchen again.
One of the fun things about the volunteer meeting was seeing the faces of so many "kids" that grew up in the church, and attending camp, now volunteering as counselors, etc. They are passing on the camp legacy to the next generation. This is the 50th Anniversary of our Church Camp. I attended many of those years, beginning at age 7. I have so many wonderful memories. It was always the highlight of my summers.
Well, it's time to go pull a few weeds, before the temperature gets too high. Supposed to be 100 or so today. Too hot for me! I am going to spend part of my afternoon in a movie theatre with my friend DeAnn and our boys. I think it's been over two years since I went to a theatre! And yes, I am going to buy the small (but highly overpriced) buttered popcorn and an icy Coke!
*Laurie Roberts - See sidebar photolink to hear some of her music. (Yes, this is another bold, unashamed plug. I happen to think she's one of Christian radio's undiscovered treasures! God is using her nevertheless...always the more!)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
MRI... and Inspiration
I had an outing today... to my neurologist, and it's time for another MRI. I do not like them at all! I was feeling very stressed out about it, so I came home and decided to check my email to distract myself.
My cousin, Laurie Roberts (see link on side bar) had an interview with Track 10. They cover Independent Christian artists from all over the Northwest. It's a great interview, and they included two of her songs that are personal favorites of mine. To listen to the interview and both songs, click on:
Track 10 (click on name to go to page)
When you get there, look at the very bottom of the page. You will see two highlighted sections in green. You can either download the interview or listen to it immediately. It's several minutes long and includes two of Laurie's songs. They are two of my very favorites and always lift my spirits!
The stories behind the songs, and the songs themselves, will lift your heart. It inspired me as I listened. Now if I could just figure a way to have the songs playing in my head, on Valentine's Day, while I lay in that MRI machine.
Oh well, my husband is driving me to the appointment, so at least we're going out! LOL!
Blessings!
Nita Jo
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sunday Scribblings - Change
I need change. After months of dealing with new MS issues, it was beginning to get to me. I dropped by my church this morning to deliver food for the members of Laurie Roberts band and the volunteer workers. I decided to pop into the sanctuary to hear them practice for the evening concert. I didn't know if I would be up to attending.
As I sat there listening, I found the songs touching me in a new way. During a break, Laurie brought her friends, Pastor LaShund and Kadesha Lambert, back to meet me. When she told them that I had MS, they said "Let's pray right now". I felt such a change pouring through me as the three of them began to pray. No, I did not experience an immediate physical healing. I had a spirit healing.
I try to keep from being negative about everything that MS has done to my life, but the truth is... some days are just so hard. It's like taking two steps forward and four back. As I stood letting their prayers roll over me, I regained some of my spiritual strength.
This week, I found a website that spoke to me. It's written by a lady with Lupus. There are so many familiarities with MS symptoms. It's here: But You Don't Look Sick... The Spoon Theory . Some days I just run "out of spoons"... you'll have to go read about it to understand what I mean by that.
After Laurie, LaShund and Kadesha prayed with me and for me, I knew I wanted to be able to come back for the concert at 7 PM. I went home and slept for over two hours. I was saving spoons... I knew I would need them if I was going to attend. I'm so glad I did! The concert was so uplifting. It was more than a performance. It was a time of worship... a time of blessing.
The change I felt was worth more than the spoons I reserved. I might have used them to clean my house, do some blogging, or run errands. I'm thankful I saved them for a time of spiritual enrichment. I am thankful for the spiritual healing. New strength to carry on. Courage for the challenges. Renewed belief in the awesome power of prayer in my life.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Kitties, Challenges, & Music
PJ didn't realize how attached I was to them. I guess I didn't either, as I cried like a baby the minute he drove away with them. He was just concerned about me. Being as physically challenged as I have been the past few weeks, I did not have the energy or strength to stay on top of even the minimal keeping of the house, getting meals done, and several days I couldn't even make it out to the mailbox. He felt the cats were an additional strain on me. I'm sure he was right, but I still miss them.
One bright note... PJ was told we could call in and keep track of what happens with them. They felt the two would be adopted in a very short time... they are both adorable.
Now on to other news. Last weekend I went to my cousin Laurie's concert on Saturday evening (see the photo link on my sidebar). It was wonderful! It was the first local concert for her "Perhaps God" album and was a blessing! I also made it to church for the Sunday morning service, but by the time church was over I could barely make it to my car.
I am much better today. I even felt well enough to go to my son's Orchestra concert tonight. It was a combination of Orchestra and Concert Band. They each played a couple selections of their own, then they joined together to perform a song from the Harry Potter movie soundtrack. It was excellant!
Well, it's late. I'm going to force myself to go to bed. I napped all afternoon so I could be sure to get to Lucky 13's concert, but now I don't feel sleepy at all.
Blessings to you, my friends! I appreciate the prayers and concern you have expressed. I am taking each day as it comes. I continue to have faith, and am thankful for each & every day.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sleepover, Encounter, and more...
SVG also introduced us to "Slings and Arrows" a Canadian television program. It's a TV show based on a Shakespearean Theater festival. If you like Shakespeare, comedy, or theatre, check it out. I really enjoyed it and look forward to renting Seasons 2 and 3. We watched three hours of Season One Friday night and the last 3 hours Saturday morning. Before our Saturday morning viewing, we "had" to make a run to Starbucks for coffee and pastries! My first pumpkin latte of the season! So good!
We chatted about our respective writing projects, Laurie's upcoming concert, family and so much more. When I got home Saturday afternoon, I mentally went over the list of topics we never got too. Even though we talked for hours, there were many! That just means we'll have to do it again sometime.
Sunday found Lucky 13 and I coughing our heads off. I think it was brought on by allergies. Sadly my favorite season, autumn, is also my highest allergy time. Apparently, Lucky 13 is following my lead... His turned into a terrible cold/bronchitis/fever which meant missing 2 days of school, another trip to the doctor, and all that goes with this... cough meds, nasal sprays, decongestants... you know the drill. We had a run to the doctor last week, when he passed out at at school, fell, and ended up with a strained tendon in his wrist. Turns out he is anemic... which means iron, red meat (which we'd been avoiding), and more leafy greens! Thankfully, all is well at my little home this morning!
I have about a million and one things to get done today and tomorrow. I'm scheduled to attend an Encounter weekend beginning Friday and ending Sunday. I was unable to go to the one in June, and I'm looking forward to this! It is a small group of women selected by our Pastor, who meet for an intense time of examining our spiritual selves. No TV, music, cell phones, computers... oh my! That part will be hard, but I know there will be Bible study, prayer, and exercises to strengthen our spiritual walk.
Well, I'd best get back to my list of to-do's! I find it so easy to get lost in my writing and in reading from many of the wonderful blogs I've discovered. If you want to do some reading, check out my list of favorites on my sidebar. It actually needs updating as I have met several more wonderful people in the past few weeks. That will be on my to-do list for next week.
Before I forget, thank you to all who continue to pray for Sally. She actually got to leave the hospital for a few hours with her family. This is part of her therapy, to see how she handles everyday situations. Reports are that she had a very nice time. They were careful not to let her get too tired. Her progress has been amazing, but we appreciate your continued prayers as there is a long way to go.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Incorrigible Bragging... and the Tasmanian Devil...


My sis, my cousin, and I always have a fun time getting together, reminiscing, and sharing what's new in our lives. My sis spends much of her free time involved with the local film and theatre community. She's done some acting, some behind the scenes work... just whatever they ask of her. She loves it. As you can see from the pictures, it runs in the family.
I've talked about Laurie before. Her new CD is wonderful, as was her first. If you click on the title of her CD, "Perhaps God", over to the right side of my blog, it will take you to CDBaby.com where you can hear samples of her work. You can also read about who she is, and there is a link to her first CD. I will probably bring up her music again, because I think it is so inspiring and I'd like people to get to know this amazing Christian artist. If you want to read my former blog about the cd, it's called Perhaps God and was posted June 12, 2008.
Ok... enough bragging, though it is well deserved...
Our kitty is driving me to distraction. She is unhappy that my oldest son is rarely here. He is the one who rescued her from being sent to the local animal shelter. Her owner abandoned her at the veterinarian office where MJ used to work. He fell for her sweet, quiet ways. Now, she "meows" with sad abandon at the door to his empty room. It's alternately sweet and annoying.
Poor Mooska. MJ now works longer hours doing graphics for a local news station. She tries to get some attention from my younger son, EJ, but he keeps himself very busy too. Mooska is letting me know by her pitiful crys. When she's not doing that, she is wrapped around my ankles. I've nearly fallen on my face while trying to avoid stepping on her. She whips around my ankles like a whirling dervish... think Tasmanian Devil.
I warned her last night that if I do fall, she will be certainly crushed to death under the weight of a 50 something, XL, somewhat irritated, mom of two. She threw me a rather nasty look. Really. I know you all think I'm the nutty one of the two (after all, I'm conversing with my cat), but I'm sure she was giving me "the look". The one we gave our kids when we were trying to keep them quiet in church, or from misbehaving in a crowded restaurant.
Well, on that thought I bid you a happy, blessed day!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Perhaps God...
Some may think my opinion of Laurie's CD is probably tainted by my love for her. All I can say is, cousin or not, this is a great collection of songs. Almost all are written by her. One not written by Laurie, but a favorite of mine is her rendition of Amazing Grace. This song holds a special place in my heart and brings back so many family memories. The lead in from her "Every Day" right to "Amazing Grace" is magic!
"Sing Hallelujah" is so beautiful. It draws you right into worship. There is a special family surprise that touched my heart. No spoilers here though... you'll have to hear the CD for yourself.
I love just sitting in a family gathering listening to the stories go back and forth. You learn a lot about your own family history that way. What a unique thing a family is. There are riches in the shared stories, songs, tears, and laughter. I am richer for owning a piece of Laurie's heart and soul in the form of her music. Richer and blessed.

