My New LBD.

My daughter and I were going shopping for Easter items, especially for a new dress for Amelia, my 9 month old granddaughter.  The day before, in an ad, I saw a new-fangled jewelry holder with lots of clear  pockets on on one side and many velcro hangers for beads and necklaces on the back.  I decided I wanted one.  My old jewelry holder was blue plastic with lots of little drawers.  I covered it with a white scarf to make it more appealing, but somehow I never liked the way it looked.  And I had to open the drawers to see the jewelry.

I purchased the item called an LBD (Little black dress) Jewelry holder at Bed Bath and Beyond for $20.  When I got time, I arranged all of my small things in the little clear pockets (first picture.)  All of my beads and long or bulky necklaces were put on the back.  Then I took a little black and white flower clip and clipped ti to my "dress" collar and added a larger white rose clip.  Turning the hanger over, I put my Hawaiian nut necklace around the handle on that side.  Now my LBD is all fixed up ready for a party.  I love the way it looks on my door and I can see everything easily.  How fun is that?

If you look closely at the center of the first picture you will see something special.

Little Bursts of Joy

I would like to share with you how I do my good news list.  I used to journal and write a lot of bad things, to work them out and get them off my chest.  Then I quit journaling altogether.  Lastly, I came up with the idea of just listing the good things.  At first it was just a sentence or two or something that happened.  If nothing seemed to be good, I looked over my day until I could find one aspect of a happening that was good and I wrote about that. 

After awhile, something funny happened.  On a very good day, (like the first day of spring,) the whole day was so good, positive, and full of joy that I did a whole page.  And then the Wed. after that, the same thing happened.  So my list is more like a journal now, except it is completely positive.

I say this to let you know that unhappy things, hurtful things, or "bad" things happen to me as well as to everyone.  I don't mean to sound like a Pollyanna because I'm not.  I just have been having so much fun doing the opposite of what I used to do. 

So if you want to try a good news list, just jot down a short sentence of something good or one part of an activity that was good.  Some days I was grateful for the sunshine.  Be brief and try to do it every day.  After a few weeks, go back and underline some of the highlights.  You will find some wonderful things.  And if you end up writing more sometimes, that's fine, too.  I truly look forward to putting down my little joyspots at the end of each day.

Families Round the Table

Some of my favorite memories are the times my family and assorted relatives gathered around the dining room table.  It may have been at our old house, our new house, Grandma's old house, her new condo, the cousins' house or others.  It didn't matter where as long as we gathered in one of the oldest traditions, the family meal.  The best of these are the holiday family meal.  This year we are gathering at my middle son's house with my daughter-in-law and our grandchildren.  It will be full of laughs, trying to remember who is the pickle person, and giving thanks for our wonderful Easter celebration.

When my family was young, my husband and I were both somewhat traditional in our thinking and even when the kids were small, we made a big deal of dinner and other meals.  When all three kids flew here and there for baseball games and ate a lot of hot dogs, Larry made sure that we had at least the majority of the days with a sit down, "how are you doing?" sort of meal.  And my kids have responded.  They probably would have done so without our example.  I am almost a non-cook and my husband has raised three very good cooks who have spouses who cook.  It truly is a family gathering point.

And so this Easter, I am happy to be remembering all of the lovely times we have spent together over the various holidays and not so fancy days as well. 

The same son's family and I will be sharing a church service together on Sunday.  It will help us all appreciate the true meaning of Easter or Resurrection Sunday.  Jesus is the reason for this season, too.  May you all have a blessed Easter and those of you who have vacations, enjoy them!

Cell Phone or Computer?

I was thinking of all of the new technology we have now:  cell phones and smart phones, computers, i pads and i pods, Kindles, video cameras, GPSs, and other devices.  I was thinking of two basic ones that I use every day, my computer and my cell phone.  If I could only own one of these two, which would I choose?

There are some good points on both sides.  The computer is where I stay connected to people I don't really know like my blogging friends.  It lets write much easier than either a typewriter or pen and ink.  I can show my friends pictures quickly that would take much longer without the computer.  I can be connected to networks that keep me in touch with old friends.  I don't use it in my work, but nearly everyone uses it to communicate through emails.

My cell phone is just a snap and close variety, but it is a new one and has a few features my old one didn't have.  Ever since I got a cell phone, I have used it to take with me when I drive.  It's there if I need it.  I can call and ask someone at home what brand of something to get when the original brand is out.  It is just so convenient.  I can't imagine living without it.  I can't believe that I ever traveled without a phone.

 A couple of rules to my little game. You can only own one device, but you can use a computer at the library or elsewhere and you can have a land phone.  So maybe you can guess which one I'd choose.  The cell phone for sure.  I'm sure that I'm in a minority.  I used to go to the library to do my blogs when my huge big old computer died and I did just fine and I could do it again.  But what could replace my handy cell phone?  I'm not even a grocery aisle talker.  I just use it for everyday important stuff.

How about you?  Which would you choose?  It just occurred to me that the new smart phones probably do everything.  But would you still be willing to give up your personal computer?   

Top Of The Mornin' To You

I know that a lot of people don't celebrate St. Patrick's day.  I can understand that.  Some of the fun parties they have on this day are not for everybody.  And not everyone likes a parade.  I think the idea of celebrating somebody who was a missionary is a nice idea.  Most of all I just love all the green and the cute decorations that go with it.  I have an Irish lassie salt and pepper set that I put out and in one of my flea market excursions, I found a lovely lady dancer figurine that goes perfectly with them.  I put out all of the green things I could find around the house.

On top of this, I just love Ireland.  When I went to Europe, l went on the Eurail pass which started in Amsterdam. My friend could get away earlier and she went to Ireland without me, so I never got to see my dream place.

When I was a little girl, for some reason, our school did celebrate the holiday and we colored lots of pictures that were shamrocks, hats, and even a Patrick Potato poem and color picture.  So, very early, it was just inserted into my set of holidays I loved to acknowledge.

I'm planning on wearing my greet sweater on that day and my tiny shamrock earrings.  Hope you have a grand day whether you celebrate St. Patrick's day or not.

(The little picture on the right is from It's a Small World at the 1964 New York World's Fair.)

More From The Good News Gazette

I had a very good run on my list of  "daily good things that happen", so I thought I'd share them with you.  One can never have too much good news.  Right?

My husband had his operation for his hip (yes hip).  The knee thing was a mistake.  He came through very well and is progressing favorably.

I managed to avoid the big storm of last week by staying with my grandchildren and their family.  We had a great visit and I am so thankful for their hospitality.

There was no new snow the day I picked my husband up from the hospital and when I got home, a very kind neighbor had cleaned out my driveway.  (This was a true blessing because I would have been shoveling snow at 10:00 pm otherwise.)

My daughter and her family got a home of their own and got moved in.

My daughter-in-law was offered a very good new job in her field.

We have had sunshine for almost a week.  Sunshine always rates on my good list.

This all happened in a period of about 9 days.  Anything negative just fell through the cracks and was taken care of.  I do praise God for these and every other blessing.

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

My husband is in the hospital with a knee transplant.  He is doing pretty well so far.  I am supposed to visit him tonight, but there is a big storm coming this way, a big wet, snowy one.  Hope I can go, but the most important day is Thurs. when I am supposed to take him home.  That day looks pretty good.

I got two pair of boots recently.  They were both on sale so I could afford both of them.  The first pair is short little black boots with wooden heels.  The only place I could wear these is to church.  I want to wear them with a short coat and a skirt.  I saw this look in an old movie, Holiday Inn.  The heroine had the cutest short black boots I have ever seen.  Of course we all wore winter boots then.  They don't even sell her kind any more.  I wanted to try to get a similar effect.  My daughter thinks they are awful.  They probably are.  I wonder if I should try to take them back or just be brave and let people stare and poke fun.

The other pair is long and brown.  They are comfy and I can tuck my jeans in them.  I can wear them to see the kids, take them off, and wear them to church that night instead of bringing an extra pair of shoes along.

God has been confirming themes for me.  One is an open heaven.  God is bringing joy and healing forth and I want to make sure I take my part in this.  He may be bringing me a long hoped for partner in ministry.  We'll see how that turns out.  He is pulling together different promises and I see a bunch of loose balloons being pulled together and secured in a knot so that they can be used together.

Exciting times are ahead.  I can sense them coming.  At least with God, every day is a good day in Him.