Jennifer Naimo

ok we’re back from 5 days in Florida with Harrisons grandparents. We had a great time even flying in on the redeye with 4 hrs sleep..but we caught up. I took walks early in the morning, but still was drenched after 1 mile, due to their amazing humidity!
Than a welcome dinner at Harrisons new school, shopping for his school uniform, play dates, me shopping for a new photographer, reading about HEathers engagement, preparing for a speaking/singing engagement, auditions in between, praying for Wanda’s little niece callie, and pam and those seeking work…and joining FACEBOOK. Life is busy people. Actually I still can’t believe summer break is over, and how i’ve still not managed to multitask anybetter. enough for now, harrisons up..

Thank goodness I don’t have a daily column. Summer is flying by and I don’t know where it went. I was in Michigan once with Tim and Harrison and we had a great 2 weeks,and than I had to suddenly fly back for my godmother and aunt Anne’s funeral, to sing and just be present to celebrate her beautiful life, and death. When Harrison, Tim and I drove up north in Michigan to share the day with her, she was all smiles, and asking me to choose some snow angels (the kind you turn upside down ,and than return and snow sprinkles the scene) to bring home. SHe had tons, and it felt weird as she was right there, but I chose the Guardian ANgel one, as that’s the day I was born ,Oct 2nd Guardian Angel day. SHe had a beautiful singing voice. Operatic and trained and supported me my entire life. WHen I talked with her that day, she wasn’t afraid to die, and she said she felt close to GOd and that she felt His sweet ,comforting
spirit/presence close to her, and she kept describing it as ’so sweet”. I’ll never forget that and her surrendering smile even while breathing in oxygen.
We’re so thankful we got to spend such quality time with her. And when I went back for the funeral , it was nice spending time alone with my mom and dad .I have to leave in a few minutes for Harrisons SOCCER CAMP at the ROsebowl all week. It’s so hot, but he’s never played before so we signed him up. And he starts a new school for 2nd grade this year, and is so excited to make his 1rst COmmunion..
He’s doing really well and is now about 4′3. watch out mama. Also right after camp we drive to LAX to pick up 2 of my nephews Nate, and Joseph and their sister Emily , who will be here for a week. Harrison is singing rock songs he made up right now.. I think he saw 1 or 2 episodes of BIg TIme RUsh, and is hooked. We never watch tv with him..so I have no idea…Alright..and my friend , long lost friend, Heather Ferguson is coming home soon from her time at Jersey BOys.. Can’t wait. and now Sara Schmidt is the only original Jersey GIrl. You go girl
Ps I had a 3 hr callback the other day and it went really well, got down to 3 of us, and than we had to dance… the character had a stroke and was also a triathalon competitor, so when I couldn’t get the dance, I said’you know i just had the stroke, and before this I was a major dancer , so I’m having trouble…” they laughed and my friend Leslie a dancer got the part. tootles

Yes my just turned 7 year old son looked me point blank in the face and said, “whatever” after I told him,”no, he could not wear his too small by now, Ironman costume under his school uniform”.

I said, “what did you say?” And he started making excuses,and saying how his friends say it, and me replying, “I don’t care what they say, you are not to say that in reply to me or dad, or any adults. However, if someone is bothering or teasing you than, yes by all means, answer whatever to shut them up”.. Is that confusing ??

My friend and I went to the screening of EAT LOVE pray…and we were talking to a very interesting woman on my right, and suddenly out of nowhere she said “you need to be writing. You have this gift and it’s lying dormant and you’re empty inside without using it/she than proceeded to read my friend …very correctly…and told us she was a prophet.. but not in a weird way..her daughter was to her left, and used to her mom, feeling a pull/pain in her neck and having to share this insight with the ‘caught off guard’ recipient. Hmmm. so that’s why i’m writing very quickly,and before Tim and Harrison return from baseball.

PS his bday was fun..i’ll write more…i hope ..soon..very soon…don’t want to die inside …peow…

Hi all

Well Harrison is turning 7 on May 9th, which falls on MOTHERS DAY this year. But we’re inviting all the boys and some boys from baseball/tball to his bash on Saturday at……CHUCK E CHEESE!!!!!! LOL

He really wanted his party on the actual day but I told him everyone will be with their mom’s so …no.And on Thursday I’m bringing 3 large pizzas and cupcakes, and juice boxes to his school for celebrating his bday at their lunch hour. So,that’s what I’m doing this week. And still trying to narrow down a photographer for new headshots for my other job…acting..

Happy Mothers day to all you moms and would be moms, and moms in training. I honor and bless my Mom and really stand amazed at all she has done and does for me and her ducklings. I LOVE YOU MOM…

Well Spring break is almost over with. And my good friend just invited Harrison to his 1rst sleepover with her son and Harrisons schoolmate.So she had her hands full last nite. I’m not sure when he’s returning today so I’m writing this really quick, and going running. We spent the Easter break with Tims family. Fresno was cold in comparison with LA. So it’s nice to be back home. Last nite Tim and I had our own movie night and I made 3 batches of popcorn and we watched Precious. So moving and real and sad and we’re so thankful for what we have .

Auditions are very sloooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww right now, so I need to clean our house better …lol. Now I have no excuses. My friends Wanda and Pam, on the East coast just saw Rick and Marshalls show The Adams Family…and loved it.! They said the audience went wild, like with Jersey BOys…and Rick was as warm and unpretentious after the show and charming , as he always is. I miss all of them.

ok no new news yet other than hello ,Happy spring…and may the economy shape up quickly for everyones sake..otherwise you’ll be able to dine off my kitchen floor soon.

HI EVERYONE. Well I just got home from a Mexican dinner with my 2 boyfriends, Tim and Harrison. THey actually were at the Staples Center in the afternoon with Harrisons bball teammates watching the Harlem GLobetrotters.

Life has been so busy!!. Family wise at least. Kinda slow audition wise, but a few coming up.Harrison finished bball yesterday and has his first mtng with Baseball team tomorrow. He’s had a 4 day weekend which is interesting to plan when Tim is at work.. but we’ve been having fun. He’s so into his WII games, and DSI..Star Wars and Spiderman and Batman. ANd everyday , well at least M’to Friday, we have to read 20 minutes, besides his homework. I just remember playing alot in 1rst grade. Not learning about cumulus clouds, and how George Washington went to Betsy Ross’ house to engage her in sewing the American Flag during the Civil War..??

THe other day I got 2 tests one from Ericca Piccinini and the other from Marisa Echeverria… they both now live in LA and Ericca was original Lorraine on Bway and Marissa the original Francine in LaJolla. Well they both inadvertenly met each other at a commercial audition and realized all the connections and both wrote me to share that. I love those kind of stories.. cuz they’re both cool chicks and part of my life.

My youngest sister has been strangely sick since September and finally got approval to go to the great Cleveland CLinic.. After a week stay they’ve diagnosed her as having Stills Disease.. a rare disease that you have to live with as long as God gives you life. It was quite weird and scary to suddenly have my lively, funny youngest sister so sick.. and not be able to talk to my mom and dad as frequently because of cell phone time, etc… was so hollowingly sad and lonely. I got a small taste of what so many people have to daily contend with…life without hearing the voice of your loved ones, whenever you choose or pick up the phone. I’m so grateful for a diagnosis, for a bit of steadiness now, and for life..

I ‘m so sad about the young  Francine,Lindsay Thomas, who recently died of lung cancer?? from the TOronto cast of Jersey Boys.. I don’t get why someone hasn’t found the cure for cancer yet. Good grief… it’s enough already. Reading about her personality and demeanor is amazing. May GOd comfort her loved ones. and may we somehow be given joy in the daily duties of our life, and see the minute miracles around us..

alright enough for one night.. photos to come… thanks to Dale and Susie for this site

OK we’re finally all back home in our house in Pasadena. Harrison hadn’t been home since we flew out to Michigan on December 15th. He’s had quite a Christmas vacation. He and I went to stay with my mom and dad in Grand Rapids for 9 days, and on Christmas Eve, we had 37 people (my sisters and brother and their kids) in our basement to celebrate Christmas.

It was beautifully decorated by my mom and dad…noisy ,fun, exciting, exhausting and the very next day Harrison and I flew in an ice storm ,actually Christmas eve night, to Vegas to meet Tim at Stratosphere Hotel to stay overnight than drive 6 and a half hours to Fresno,Ca to be with his family. But the morning of Christmas eve I had the privilege of singing at my friend/director/producer Alan Hartwick ’s funeral. He died of lung cancer at age 52 and never smoked a day in his life.He would continually bring me back home to make what I thought were homespun children’s tapes on the Rosary, Prayers, Christmas, the Eucharist…and as it turned out ..they sell nationwide and are in every religious bookstore and publication. And little kids have recognized me in the strangest cities around the states. All because of his dreams. May God bless him as I know he has truly blessed me in the way he lived and died. the last song of the funeral was a dulcimer fueled, gospel version of ‘I’ll Fly Away”. It set the whole tone as a celebration.

Leaving Michigan was an event. My sister has the job of security at the airport one of her responsibilities being stopping and braking the truck on the runway. She kept driving up to our plane and I had my phone off, naively thinking we were ready to go in an ice storm. I thought maybe she was warning me to get off..so I turned my phone back on..but she said she had no idea why they de-iced the plane 2 times and took an hour to head to Vegas…When we did finally take off..we had to wear our seat belts for almost 2 hours of bumpy (terrible) weather. I was trying not to appear to Harrison that I was scared to death..but he was pretending to fly the plane and with each bump he’d yell”there’s something wrong with this ship!!” All in fun to him.. just my end I thought..But than peace and smooth riding for the remainder of our flight, and we had been up so early for the funeral and got in our hotel at 3 30 am GR time and Harrison never even napped, let alone flew our ship to safety.

He has grown so much and become so confident ..and having cousins all over sure helps. He still wants a sister he tells me..and I say I want a house on a hill, and to be 5′6..even tho I ‘d love to have a little girl.. He’s suddenly into football?? and thought Tim played for the St Louis Rams as all his shirts, hats ,etc..have the logo… He ’s earning good behavior/homework points for shoulder pads and a helmet.. He already got a DSI thanks to his points, grandma and grandpa in Florida and Santa.. Anyway that ’s it for now.

Thank you for everyone I know who sent such lovely greetings, and unexpected and wonderful gifts for me and Harrison. I hope your New Year brings you good health, joy and happiness. and WORK>> and wisdom to know how to live in the moment.

WELL I HAVE 2 MINUTES TO WRITE THAT I’M RUNNING AROUND AND DOING AN AWFUL JOB OF REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND BIRTHDAYS, SO THIS IS MY INFORMAL APOLOGY. I THINK MY MULTI TASKING SKILLS HAVE DIMINISHED EVEN MORE AFTER A YEAR OF BEING A MOM. I THOUGHT I’D GET BETTER.

BUT I JUST REALIZED HARRISON AND I LEAVE FOR CHRISTMAS IN MICHIGAN WEDNESDAY, AND I HAVEN’T COMPLETED, AND BARELY STARTED SHOPPING. I THINK 1RST GRADE IS VERY BUSY AND YOU PARENTS KNOW WHAT I MEAN, LOGGING IN 20 MINUTES OF READING DAILY, BESIDES THE HOMEWORK, AND KARATE, AND CUB SCOUTS, AND THAN REMEMBERING FAMILY BDAYS AND FRIENDS, AND I THINK BEING THAT WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, I FORGET ITS WINTER, AND THINK I HAVE MONTHS TO GO BEFORE SHOPPING.

SO TIM CAN’T COME TO MICHIGAN CUZ HIS (UNDERSTUDY) IS ON VACATION FOR A MONTH AND A HALF IN A COUNTRY NEAR INDIA. I GUESS HE SAVED UP YEARS OF VACATION DAYS TO EARN THIS..BUT TIMS PRESENCE WILL BE TRULY MISSED BY MY FAMILY…AND YIPES…ME…

HE LIKES PLAYING OUT IN THE CHILLY, FREEZING SNOW. FOR HOURS… I DON’T. GOD BE WITH ME, AND YOU AS WE TRY AND REMEMBER THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON.

THAT’S WHY I’M HOPING THAT YOU’LL WISELY USE THIS TIME TO FORGIVE US FOR NO GIFTS, OR CARDS..ON TIME.. OR ON TIME..LOL.

LOVE AND PEACE AND BLESSINGS AND JOY IN THE NEW YEAR..

Harrison’s Halloween

I’VE BEEN ON THE PHONE AND ONLINE AND WITH FAMILY ,TRYING TO GET A DEAL ON A FLIGHT. THUS FAR ,HARRISON AND I ARE VISITING MY FAMILY AND 28 NIECES AND NEPHEWS IN MICHIGAN ,VIA A FREE FLIGHT TO CHICAGO, AND WEATHER BEARING , A 4 HOUR RIDE TO MICHIGAN SOMEHOW.

COMING HOME ON CHRISTMAS EVE FROM GRAND RAPIDS TO VEGAS, WITH TIM PICKING US UP AND MAYBE TRAVEL TO HIS FAMILIES HOUSE FOR 2 DAYS..SO EVERYONE GET S SEEN. TIM CAN’T GO FOR ANY EXTENDED TIME CUZ HIS BACK UP AT WORK HAS A ONE MONTH AND A HALF VACATION NEAR INDIA!!!!!!!!! SO TIM AND I AND HARRISON WILL VISIT MY MOM AND DAD AND FAMILY AND 18 NIECES AND NEPHEWS IN JUNE?

I HAD A GREAT VOICE OVER WORKSHOP WITH TERRY BERLAND SATURDAY.AND HOPE TO DO MORE..HARRISON JUST WOKE UP FOR SCHOOL SO I HAVE TO MAKE HIM EGGS OVER CHIPS.. TO TA LOO

LAST NITE/TODAY MARKS 1 YEAR THAT HARRISON HAS BEEN WITH US! HE WAS CALLING US TIM AND JENNIFER FOR SOME WEEKS, UNTIL 1 DAY I ANSWERED ‘YES BILLY, I MEAN JOSH, I MEAN BOBBY’ AND HE THAN STARED SAYING ‘MOM AND DAD/

AFTER KARATE TODAY WE WILL CELEBRATE SOMEWHERE, HIS CHOICE. I KNOW HE’S PARTIAL TO CHEESECAKE FACTORY. I WILL SEND DALE SOME TIGER CUB PHOTOS OF HARRISON.. AS HE LOVES WEARING HIS UNIFORM..

WHO KNEW I’D BE PLAYING THIS ROLE…THERE’S LOTS OF ACTING INVOLVED, TIMES I LOSE MY PATIENCE, TIMES I COULD SQUEEZE HIS LITTLE CHEEKS NONSTOP, YOU ALL KNOW THE ROLLER COASTER RIDES…OOPS GOTTA GO, HE’S UP AND READY FOR 1RST GRADE…AND EGGS OVER TORTILLA CHIPS… PHOTOS TO COME