My Saturday...

I have had a somewhat productive Saturday. While my husband is at his favorite car show in Emmett, Idaho, I've been sorting through boxes of keepsakes and dividing them into keep, donate, or sell stacks.

In the background I've been listening to some Martha Stewart Christmas programs on Hulu. It's the perfect time of year to be creating handmade cards, ornaments and gifts, so they're done well before the holidays arrive. Right now Aretha Franklin is singing "Silent Night" and I can't help but think of mom, who would pull out Christmas movies every summer during the July heat.
"Sleep in Heavenly Peace" Oh my, nobody can sing it quite like Aretha!

MJ is off to a summer luau with friends. EJ is hanging around here and has offered to help me bake a batch of cookies to send to church camp, for the kids to enjoy this coming week.

I'm having a great Saturday. As Martha would say, it's a good thing!

Hot August Afternoon

I certainly got spoiled up in the mountains last week. The temperatures were in the 80's, and a wonderful, cool breeze blew off and on every day. I have not checked the temperature here, but when I went to the mailbox a few minutes ago it felt like an oven... hot and dry.

Our church camp was wonderful. I didn't get the chance to do much about my projects I took along, but I had the best time just catching up with friends. There was a service each morning and evening. The music was youthful and loud. At times, too loud for me. When did I get so old that loud music is not fun anymore? There were some softer worship songs blended in. I'm beginning to think it's time for a hearing check. I couldn't make out the words on most songs. I haven't gotten my glasses prescription filled, so I couldn't read them either. LOL! I did a lot of humming and clapping along.

There were some amazing speakers. They brought lessons that applied to the young people and the adults. It was a time of renewal and reflection for me. I may share more later. Right now I need to decide what to prepare for dinner tonight.

Oh, for those of you with an artistic side, the Mind Wide Open Challenge is going on this week. Check it out at: Mind Wide Open
If this link doesn't work, you can click on the photo link on my sidebar. Gail has posted a very sweet image this month. I'm going to see what I can do with it.

Hugs & Blessings!
Nita Jo

Away For a Bit...

Hello friends! Sorry about my lack of new material. Summer has me either tired and napping, or sitting in an easy chair with sweet tea and a good book! I also have a dozen or more magazines that I am enjoying. It's so nice to have reading glasses!

Before I go any further, I must say "farewell" to my oldest niece. She hit the road in a U-Haul early today. She is off to pursue the only thing she has ever dreamed of... to be a full-time singer/songwriter/musician. She's written hundreds of songs and has performed locally. Now she is on to the next phase of the dream. I will miss her so, but I wish her love, joy, and success. I will be waiting to purchase that first CD!

I will be gone this week, but will be checking back in with all of you next weekend. I'm taking some reading material with me, my sketchpad and pencils, a notebook, and a comfortable camp chair. Maybe the change of scenery will inspire me back to my writing.

Speaking of inspiration, here are some Free Images for you. They come from Dover Clip Art, which offers a large assortment of images to use in your art projects. They should enlarge when you click on them. Then just right click and save to your own art file. You can save them even if they do not enlarge. There is a frame from one of the many Celtic books, an image from the Gibson Girls collection, and two florals from Ladies Flower Garden. Enjoy!

Hugs & Blessings!

Nita Jo

Heat Wave...

It is blistering hot for my part of the world! In the 100's, and I tend to feel overheated when it gets to be 75 or higher. Heat makes me tired and lethargic. I have been neglecting my blog, my housework, shopping, and just about anything that takes energy. I wish I lived near an icy cold lake! ok... enough whining...


This week has been busy. Doctor visits... yearly tests, which I hadn't done since 2004! Now that is procrastinating! You know... the mammogram, bone density, bloodwork, etc., etc...

I am also supposed to be planning what to pack for next weeks camp. Sounds like it will be a hot weather year, and I do not have the figure for shorts! I only have two of the capri length, so tomorrow I am hitting the local Walmart sale with hope that they still have a few of the "big gal" sizes left.

I wish I had something more excitng to share... I'm even yawning while writing this post, but I promised myself I'd write something today... Sorry, this is it! LOL!

Just in case they are reading my blog... "Happy Birthday to Brian Peoples (one day late) and Ms. Jessica (today is the day)! I hope you both had a wonderful birthday. I love you both so much!!!

Soak...

Soak is the name of our church`s midweek worship service. It's one of the newer activities, though I'm sure it's been going for a year or so. Anyway, I went for the first time last night. It was a warm, wonderful time. Lights low, Laurie* playing the piano and singing. People lost in prayer, singing along, or both. She led in a selection of new songs, some she wrote, and some old well-loved hymns and choruses.

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!)

Change of Plans

Well, plans fell through for me. I was supposed to be up at our Church Camp with PJ and Lucky13, but there were other plans for me. I had not been feeling the greatest. Monday came and I still felt under the weather, so I made a decision to stay home. I have felt a real peace about my decision, and I'm not totally on my own... older son is still here when he's not at work or out with friends that is.

Two years ago we had to miss the camp. I was very sad the entire week. I was not well enough to go, but I missed it so much. Church Camp has been a part of my life since I was 7 years old. At least that's the first year I remember going. It's always a fun week full of spiritual activies, recreational activities, and just time to get acquainted with new friends or spend time with old ones.

So far, reports are that husband and son are having a great time! They went fully armed with mosquito repellant, but I forgot to send the sunscreen... it's always something. It's like when you forget to serve the jello salad or the sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving until everyone is too full to care.

My husband got West Nile Virus a couple of years ago, so we are extremely careful about the mosquito repellant. He recovered, but it was a slow process. He still doesn't have the energy he had before. We are so fortunate though. Lives have been lost and some have difficult long term disabilities. A childhood schoolmate is making a slow recovery from paralysis resulting from West Nile. He was infected the same summer as my husband. He's thankful for the progress he makes each day.

I've heard these things referred to as "speed bumps"... they make you slow down and take another look at your life and where it's going. I think sometimes they could more aptly be described as gigantic sink holes or craters. Faith, and a sense of humor, are sometimes all that gets us through them. It sometimes helps to look back on your happy times and laugh again.

Here are a few pictures from past camps that make me smile:

PJ & I three years ago

Water Curling... Points earned by how far your teammate slides.

Two of my Very Favorite Cousins, Kevin and Laurie

From "several" years ago Kathryn & Joe, Grandma Martha & Grandpa Evert, Robin & Kent (another cousin... Oh my, I'd forgotten bout that beard!)

I love this old photo. I have hundreds more, but no time or room to post them. I'll save some for another day.

Random Note: On the Free Images I posted, I noticed that when you click on the image, they are not enlarging as some of my photos do. I'm not sure why, but it may affect the size of the image you are able to save. I have checked out the "Help" section to no avail. If anyone out there in blogland knows the answer, please post it in my comments section. I would appreciate it so much. I have a few more royalty free images that I'd love to share sometime.


Anyway... When I'm not resting and trying to get back to normal (whatever that is), I'm still here at my computer.

May your day be blessed with sunshine and smiles.