Thank a Veteran today...

Good things...Memorial Day typically marks the unofficial beginning of summer, another day off for most of us and picnics. But it is also time to remember our fallen veterans and an opportunity to thank other veterans.

Good people...well, our veterans of course. I wrote about my mother's three brothers before - Walt, Jim and Jack Jennings. All three were pilots. Jim was a POW in WW II and escaped. Jack lost his life when his plane was shot down.

Good times...I am fortunate to write for Victory Media, a company who owns G.I. Jobs, Vetrepreneur and Military Spouse. In this work, I interview a lot of veterans. This week as I was interviewing Stan, an Air Force veteran, he said, "Fearless does not mean fear does not exist, fearless means acting despite being afraid." Super advice.

Happy Memorial Day and to all the veterans, thank you for your service to our country.

Premies, cancer surviors, and more...

Good things...lots of fun knitted and crocheted items were made in the first Honor Mom Charity Knit-along. Here is a photo of the fun miniature hats for premie babies, beautiful chemo hats, a few scarves and lots and lots of gorgeous, fun flowers for women re-entering the job market. The items were made by the Knittsters, a group of wonderful women (who have graciously allow me to be a member) in honor of their moms. So one more time, "Mom, this is in honor of you!"

Good people...the premie hats will be mailed to our local chapter of Newborns in Need. This group helps provide clothing and supplies for newborns to families struggling to make ends meet. You can find more information including a local chapter in your area at http://www.newbornsinneed.org/. The chemo hats will be donated to a local hospital - check with your own local hospital to find out their needs. Some of the hats and scarves will go to North Hills Community Outreach in our area - a wonderful organization that serves families and those in need. Finally, the flowers will go to Dress for Success, a program that assists women re-entering the job market who need work appropriate attire. Visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org/ for more information.

Good times...volunteering to serve others by doing something as fun as knitting with my best friends and thinking about our moms. How will you serve others today?

When a friend(s) reaches out...

Good things...I had outpatient surgery this week, not serious but enough to feel puny. Two of my good friends brought dinner to our house (two separate nights). One brought quiche and lovely PNB and chocolate chip cookies, the other lasagna and brownies. If you have read my blog before, you know I love brownies and make Ghiradelli brownies with milk chocolate chips added. Diane brought me Ghiradelli triple chocolate brownies - yum. The flowers are from my husband. He might not be much of a cook, but flowers always make me smile.

Good people...my wonderful friends, my husband and my children who helped out by doing little things like picking up heavy things, moving chairs, fetching my knitting and vacuuming.

Good times...she is at it again. Little half-pint singer, Jackie Evancho is on the Oprah Show tomorrow. I have had the good fortune of writing about Jackie and can't wait to hear her tomorrow. You can read more at
http://pine-richland.patch.com/articles/jackie-evancho-to-appear-on-oprah-monday-may-23.

BeadforLife goes to the prom...

Good things...I have written about BeadforLife in the past (and will in the future). As a Community Partner Volunteer, I have had the good fortune of working with the students of Hampton High School Interact Club (Rotary) for the past three years hosting a BeadforLife sale at their school. We have raised over $4,000 in our sales for this wonderful organization!

Good people....one of the young ladies at the school asked me if she could buy some beads to go with her prom dress. Knowing how important prom is to high school girls, I was honored to show Ellen several necklaces. I think you will agree that Ellen made the right choice. What a beautiful photo of a wonderful young lady wearing her lovely prom dress, the BeadforLife necklace and Pittsburgh in the background.

Good times...Ellen said her prom was fantastic - and she received several compliments on her necklace including even some from young men. Here's hoping every young person has a wonderful prom!

Clowning around...

Good things...I had the good fun of writing about a clown, Happy Harry the Clown aka James Cooper. It just makes you smile to talk with someone whose job is to make other people smile. And Cooper takes his job very seriously. If you want to read more, visit:

www.post-gazette.com/pg/11132/1145806-54-0.stm.

We can use a smile or two!

Good people...Cooper has the "day-shift" with his infant daughter. There aren't many men who would or can do that. My hat is off to James!

Good times...learn a balloon trick or two and share it with a small friend. My kids still love balloon animals and laugh over my silly attempts to make a dog. Visit www.magic.about.com to learn a few tricks yourself.

When life goes sideways...

Good things...I heard that a gentleman who passed away from cancer last week and wrote a blog through-out his journey. He talked about when life goes sideways from the way we plan...I loved that thought. And sometimes life does take us sideways. For 13 years, I was a single parent. While there were times that it was certainly challenging, I wouldn't trade those years for anything. It certainly wasn't what I had planned, but the journey was still good.

Pittsburgh Better Times is a new publication for folks facing a detour in their plans. If you or someone you know is facing a different road than he/she planned by losing a spouse or partner, you may want to recommend they read this publication! http://www.pittsburghbettertimes.com/.


Good people...The people who have faced difficult times and keep enjoying life. Read about them in Pittsburgh Better Times.

Good times...When my son, Kenton, was about 9, he told me that he thought that if "we had a dad" that we (he and I) wouldn't be as close. It was a wonderful moment for a single-mom, knowing that my son realized there were silver linings in some clouds. Or maybe it was a gold lining.

Reaching out to help those we love but haven't met...

Good things...I belong to a group of women who knit and crochet (no, we aren't a bunch of old ladies!). To honor our mothers, we decided to knit for the first two weeks of May for charity. I'm making tiny hats for premie babies. To learn more: http://pine-richland.patch.com/articles/moms-honored-by-charity-knitalong.

Good people...the folks at Craft Hope bring crafters together to do good things. They are currently collecting blankets for the tornado victims in Alabama. Visit Craft Hope's page on Facebook.

Good times...sittin' and knittin' with my Knittsters. In this busy life, we need time with friends. I love my ladies.

Happiness through those we love...

Good things...May means Mother's Day, graduations and races. Races??? When our friend's daughter won a highly competative college race a few weeks ago, Dan sent out a posting on the results and his joy. It is amazing how much happiness we have when those we love succeed.

Good people...our children. I know that I just posted about my daugher, Eliza, but she graduated this weekend, and like Dan, my joy knows no boundries at her success. Congratulations Eliza and to all college graduates this month.

Good times...sharing a moment with our families and friends to celebrate little or big milestones. Having Mother's Day and graduation celebrations this weekend - our cup runneth over.

They do grow up...

Good things...I had the pleasure of going to the Pittsburgh Wine Festival yesterday with my daughter, Eliza. Now that she is 21, we can do things like share a good wine together. It was a lovely time and my husband was gracious to act as our designated driver!

Good people...my daughter. She graduates this weekend from Duquesne University with honors - yes, I am a proud mama.

Good times...sharing time with my family. I hope that you have a moment or two with your family and friends today.

What is your favorite moment of the day today?

Beads, glorious beads....

Good things....something as simple as paper beads. Paper beads? Yes, beautiful paper beads made by women in Uganda. BeadforLife helps women rise out of poverty to make wages that help them support their family. Please read more about these amazing women (and a few men) at http://www.beadforlife.org.

Good people...cancer survivors. I had the pleasure of attending Survivor's Outdoor Experience Inaugural retreat a few weeks ago and wrote about the event along with beads. Please read more about Survivor's Outdoor Experience at http://www.survivorsoutdooradventure.org/.

Good times...the Survivor's Outdoor Experience weekend. Who rocks more than cancer survivors? Forget the reality T.V. shows - these guys are the real "survivors." Read about the beads and Survivor's Outdoor Experience at http://www.beadforlife.org/blog/ .

It's a new day...

Good things...my son came home from school today and wanted brownies. Easy and fortunately, I had a box or two from the grocery store. It was perfect because I wanted to make some for friends of ours going through a tough time. I always make Ghiradelli mixes with a cup of milk chocolate chips thrown in. Yum. Everyone can use a brownie.

Good people...I would be remiss if I didn't mention history in the making with the death of Osama Bin Laden today. Regardless of how you feel about the war, thank a service man or woman today. Here is a great photo of my mother's three brothers who fought in WW II. The one lost his life in the war and another was a POW. Thank you service men and women!

Good times...eatting brownies with my son.

Happy May Day!

Good things - Yesterday, my husband was mowing the grass and a robin kept flying out of the bush he was near. I was planting some lavender nearby and went over to explore. There, tucked in the branches, was a nest with three little babies and a bright, blue egg just waiting to hatch. Ah, spring time and baby birds!

Good people - Did you fall in love with pint-sized singer Jackie Evancho last fall? Jackie has just been selected as spokesperson of Mission:Humane. Read more:http://pine-richland.patch.com/articles/jackie-evancho-named-spokesperson-for-mission-humane.

Good times - My friends and I celebrated the Royal Wedding on Friday with a party! Getting up at 4 a.m. was worth the fun. What's your idea of a good time?