Endings...

We attended my youngest son's final High School Orchestra Concert last night.  It was awesome!  Lucky 13 plays the cello.  He got to riff a bit, on his electric cello, during their last song.  Like me, he gets a bit of stage fright... the shaking hands.  I played piano, and that kept me from going as far with it as I might have.  Singing never scared me as much as playing.  He really pushed through it, and he ended up having a great final performance.

His Senior year was taken from him by illness, so instead of graduating last year, he is completing his final classes this summer.  He has just two to go, and they will be done at an online High School.  The wonderful thing is, all of the delays won't matter a few years from now.  As I've told him, it only matters what you're doing today!  Don't hang on to regrets of the past.  High School will only be a small blip on the map of your life. 

I am so proud of him.  He played so well last night and with such  confidence!  Another "era" ends, and it's on to new beginnings...

You gain strength, courage and confidence

by every experience in which you stop

to look fear in the face.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Endless Yard Sale and Excess...

We are having such beautiful weather here. Perfect cool days and cold nights. Tomorrow promises to be a grand day for garage cleaning. If I had time to prepare, it would have made a perfect "last yard sale of the season" day. My husband has taken the day off to spend with us. Maybe take our son for a much needed haircut and run some errands.

Did anyone watch HGTV's 2009 Endless Yard Sale? Every time I see an episode, I want to be there! The Route 127 Yard Sale starts in Ohio and finishes in Alabama, taking you through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. That's 654 miles of yard sale bargains! Unbelievable! Tons of antiques and collectibles along with great deals on newer items. I love getting a bargain, but haven't actually been to a yard sale since early last spring. I made a deal with myself that I would eliminate all my excess "stuff" before bringing any new treasures home. That has been hard!

Trimming my excess has been hard too. And, I'm not just talking stuff. Over the past few months I have gained so much weight, and now we are heading into my favorite "eating" holidays. Part of the problem is that I have lost all desire to diet, and exercise is only what will make my arms and legs feel more normal, rather than what will make them look better... but I digress...

My excess "stuff" is still all around me. I've posted before about my good intentions to simplify. Impressive talk, but no action. I love all my goofy trinkets and keepsakes. And if, God forbid, they were all taken from me tomorrow, I know I would be fine. But they're all still here. Most of them anyway. Another big box went off to charity last week, and I have plans for more to go to the big Orchestra fund-raising yard sale next weekend. This will help pay for Lucky 13's spring Orchestra trip to Seattle. So see... I've been hoarding all these goodies for a reason!

I hope my craziness brings you a smile!

Blessings!
Nita Jo

The Concert

The Eagle Chamber Orchestra concert, we attended last evening, was wonderful! I had high expectations, but they were greatly exceeded. I have always loved the selections from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. They were beautifully done. Every piece of music performed, from the soloists to the entire orchestra, was excellent.

My son was given the opportunity to learn the cello beginning in 6th grade orchestra. We had not been able to afford private music lessons, and except for a few months during his 8th grade year, all his training has been through the public school music program. In a time when programs are being cut, I pray that the arts and music programs will be able to survive in public schools. The discipline it takes to learn to read and interpret music, as well as actually mastering the instrument, only enhances all other areas of learning.

I was so proud watching my son play. There is something very special about seeing your child excel at something he loves to do. I don't really have the words. I sat there mesmerized, at times wiping away tears, as the music flowed around me and through me. What a blessing!

Spring Break...

Well, spring break was quiet for us. Lucky 13 and I hung around the house most of the time. He reorganized part of his room and got better acquainted with his new laptop. It is way better than my desktop!

We spent today at a friends. The boys played video games and laughed a lot! My friend, DeAnn, and I had a movie marathon! We watched "Nights in Rodanthe", "The Trouble With Harry" and one called "Lucky Seven"... I'm surprised I stayed awake for almost all of them!

Lucky 13 has an orchestra concert tomorrow night! I am really looking forward to it. They will be playing "The Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi, plus some other selections!

It was a wonderful day... here's an appropriate quote:

"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend."
~ Katherine Hathaway

Lucky 13's Good News...

My youngest son, Lucky 13, has been in Orchestra since it was offered in Middle School. He plays the Cello, and really enjoys it.

About a month, ago he auditioned to be part of a local chamber orchestra and was accepted. They have two hour practice sessions each week. It has really stretched him musically. The pieces are a higher difficulty level and very challenging for him.

He came home from school today with a big smile on his face. First, he shared that his speech went over really well with his Speech class. He wasn't too sure he was going to be comfortable doing speeches. Several of the other students told him they enjoyed the sense of humor he brought to the presentation.

The he shared his bigger news... He's now first chair for Cello in the school orchestra. He did very well on his test. His playing has improved partly due to the new challenges of playing with the chamber orchestra. He loves playing Cello and takes great pride in improving his skills.

I wish all young people had the opportunity to take music in school. Often when the budget has to be trimmed in schools, the music and arts are the first to be eliminated. I believe music enhances learning. It's something that gives pleasure throughout your life, whether you perform professionally or for your own enjoyment.


Take time today to put a little music into your life...

Christmas is almost here...and I'm Not Ready!

This has been a wacky month for me. Didn't do any driving for about four weeks, so I did all my shopping online. Still have a couple of items that haven't made it to my home, and since we decided to be frugal this year I really need them to get here!

While I was at a really low point with my health, I received two beautiful cards from Pam Warden of Faith Folk Cafe & Pam Warden Art. She lifted my spirits with the beautiful friendship card and the Christmas Snowman. Here they are. Please do not copy these images as Pam retains all rights to her artwork.

Last Saturday (a week ago), I went out for the first time. It was cold and icy, but my cousin was having a holiday sale in her home. Lovely handmade items... aprons, handbags, wreaths, baby things... too many to name.

Original Art (sadly for me, it was sold)

Wreaths & Handbags
Baby Sets & Blocks... See the Darling Tuxedo Bib!

I loved this "Teatime" baby set!

Mother & Daughter Aprons, Crocheted Snowflakes!

I did a bit of gift shopping at the sale. If you want to see more of these products, visit Breeno Baby at Etsy. My cousin's daughter started the shop, and the two of them have plans to open another Etsy shop in the very near future. They will do custom orders. They put a lot of love and care into each piece they create!

I did a bit of gift shopping at the sale, and had a wonderful visit while sipping delicious coffee and snacking on finger foods she had prepared for her guests and customers. It was a perfect afternoon.

Tuesday evening my husband and I went to the Christmas Concert at my son's high school. He plays cello in the orchestra. It was a combination of Concert Band (freshman) who did very well. Next came the Orchestra. Their selections were beautiful and for the final song, Lucky13 had a "solo" harmony part. It was great. Next came the Jazz Band, followed by the Symphonic Band. I have never heard such a high quality concert, even at the high school level. It was a fun and entertaining evening!

This week I made a couple small homemade gifts, but I'll have to wait till after Christmas to show them. I don't want to spoil a surprise. PJ did our outside lights and I got our tree up, but there are only lights on the tree... no ornaments.

There is snow covering the ground outside and it's very cold. Inside it's nice and warm. The house is filled with the smell of spiced apple cider, ginger snaps, sugar cookies and a 7-UP Cake. PJ did the baking, and sampling, while I worked on last minute Christmas cards and gifts! I am taking the 7-UP Cake it to a Christmas Sing-a-Long at the Assisted Living Home where my Grandma Martha lives. It's one of her very favorites.

I hope you are all having a peaceful, fun holiday season.

Blessings!

Nita Jo