Lose a life, gain a life and communication

An interesting subject line don’t you think? 

Lose a life was referring in particular to those poor people who struggle during Hurricane Irene.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones who lost so much and are now having to cope and come to terms with the devastation around their homes.  Even though Irene was later called a tropical storm she still managed to create chaos.

Sea Aglow, a scene after the storm?
by
Yankeegirl

Gain a life refers to a blessed addition to our family last week.

After eagerly awaiting his birth my only daughter gave us a miracle called Ernie! I know I am biased and that every parent/grandparent states that their little ones are the best, but, really, he is!!  Sorry, had to say that

Baby Sandsniper, perfect picture for babies’ room
by
Sixsisters

Mini Fold Book, memories can be stored here
by
Mister PenQuin

Communication? Now this part of the subject line refers to my new acquisition!  A mobile phone, an IPhone to be exact.  I fought it for a long time but when you see all your kids with one, well as the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them!  Now that I have one I wonder how on earth I managed without.

Felted woolen Iphone case, perfect!
by
JNOriginals

Each of the above titles can be followed with the word ‘hope’.  ‘Hope’ after the ravages and losses of the storm, ‘hope’ when a new life is born and ‘hope’ that I can get my head around my new mobile!!

So there you have the latest news of events that have an impact on my life.

The Feeling of Joy!

I guess there has to be a story, or rather, THE story that is foremost in peoples’ minds that gives the participants and onlookers the most amazing feeling of joy.  The story I am talking about is the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners.  A truly remarkable feat.  The endurance of the miners having to survive below the surface for all that time as well as all the experts above ground who developed the means of rescuing the miners.  In addition the hardships encountered by the families who ‘camped’ out near the mine opening and can now pack up and go home in the wonderful warm feeling of joy that their loved ones are once again safe.

The feeling of joy can conjure up many visions; all very different depending on the circumstances of the people who are en’joy’ing!  Generally it is the feeling of real happiness about something unfolding.  The joy of watching as each miner was successfully brought to the surface; the joy of watching a newborn entering our wide world; the joy of a feeling or warmth; joy as a feeling of success surrounds us; just plain joy at experiencing some of the amazing adventures nature can throw at us.  The list simply goes on and is so diverse for each one of us.

Now…. I can feel immense joy and pride when I look through the items the BBEST team have produced.  This team doesn’t need to be told how talented they are, each and everyone of them!  Check out some of these diverse items which I hope will bring joy to the creator as well as the viewer.

 

Flight original watercolour goose by Yankeegirl

Sketchbook Journal by Paper Patches

Wild flowers by PFD Original Artworks

Handmade refillable notebook cover by Circle in the Sand

Yellow brown eyed Susan by Zudagay

Hibiscus by Sixsisters

Carnival tonight by Heron Kate

Black glass fused pendant by Chris1

Genuine pearl earrings by Bridal Jewelry

Flying Witch fused glass pendant by Chauncey

I do hope the selection I have included here will bring you joy!  What sort of things/items bring you joy?

Top Ten Reasons To Chat on The BBEST Weekly Thread

Our Wonderful Etsy Team encourages active participation. Our philosophy is to seek out and form new friendships and provide encouragement and support to our peers. We have a Message Board (MB), two weekly etsy chat room times, this Blog, Monthly Challenge Activities, a weekly promo thread where you can share all your business news, a Yahoo group and a Flickr Pool. These are all easy and effective ways to get involved in our team at your leisure and in your own style. But, and I think I speak for most of our members, the BBEST Weekly Chat Thread, found in the etsy Teams & Events Forum Section, is the liveliest, most entertaining and ~ full disclosure time ~ addicting BBEST Team feature. It has the unique ability to guide you to all things BBEST, while encompassing the ups and downs of our members' daily lives, covering every imaginable topic ~ and more ~ with a heartwarming blend of tears and laughter.

In the spirit of fun, which is an important thread element, I pay homage to David Letterman, and submit to you now this tongue-in-cheek list. I invite and encourage you to join in. See you there. joon

Top Ten Reasons To Join in the Weekly BBEST Chat Thread

10. All the thrill of a freight train ride without the fuss.
9. Get hip to Exciting New Acronyms like: BBIAB :::TY:::LOL::: YW:::DH:::DS:::DD:::NSDH:::GMTA:::PPF:::BF:::IMHO:::BIA
8. Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate. We like to chat about chocolate.
7. Harken back to your Soap Opera Days with Medical Diagnoses that will have you reconsidering that long overdue plunge into medical school.
6. Type chocolate and people pop out of the ionosphere like daisies.
5. The Friday Night Three Ring Circus.
4. Expand your vocabulary with groovy terms like: lutrador+dorkens+haggis+chutneywalla+copacetic+Johnny Depp+TA DA!
3. You absolutely positively cannot kill the thread ... just occasionally lull it into a chocolate stupor.
2. Ask any question and you'll get some kind of answer after only 15 follow-up questions.
1. We {and chocolate} are here for you.

Clockwise from Top Left: Chocolate Peach Delight Focal, Neopolitan Bag, Dark Chocolate and Teal Sticks, Delicious Chocolate Caramel Beaded Glass Set.

To find dozens more luscious BBEST Riches, simply search "bbest chocolate".

*Special THANKS to my BBEST friend, Liv, of The Filigree Garden, for her gracious assistance composing my dream photo for this post.