About that book I just bought and something I didn't "need"...

but acquired anyway.

De-cluttering continues but last week I hauled something into the house I really didn't "need", but wanted.  Sigh!

After buying myself a "much needed" large glass cloche (often called a bell jar), I spotted this little item at the thrift store. No, not the cute little figurine.  That was my mothers from the time I was an itty bitty girl.  The glass thingy that may or may not have been some kind of candle holder or something.  I have no idea.

Hmmmmmm.  If that had a knob on top it would be a cute little cloche.

It sure wasn't expensive...

Now what do I have for a knob.  Oh, I know.  I have a bunch of vintage glass drawer pulls. There's a bit of rust from the screw that needs to be cleaned out from this one and it will be perfect. 

I usually use silicone glue for this sort of thing but while cruising the glue section I found this...

After gluing the knob on top of the glass thingy, the plan calls for filling the center hole with tiny little glass beads and gluing a pearl or something on top.

I'll be showing you the finished product in a few days and letting you know how the glue works (I'm not locking myself into promising a "next day" post because it never works out and than I feel bad.)

About the book from yesterday "The Spiritual Art of Being Organized"

While it's a nice book with good advice there are ones on the market that I think are much better.  Now I may be saying this because I've probably read every book on organization and clutter control known to man, so it's pretty hard to have something new to say to me.

 My number one recommendation would be:  

For more nuts and bolts get this book - it's excellent...

and this book:

A new book, an update on my "Christmas tree", and the art of keeping your mouth shut...

This year we didn't put up our Christmas tree and I can report there have been no long-lasting negative ramifications to our mental health. Actually, the first of January rolled around and I was pretty happy not to have to put the tree and decorations away.

A friend of ours was so disturbed by our lack of a tree she gifted us with a dwarf Alberta spruce with appropriate decorations. I've since removed the decorations and that cute little spruce is growing up a storm.

 Check out all the new growth

Our Christmas cactus bloomed heavily this spring in the late fall and just a few days ago it put out one lovely perfect bloom...

That's pollen dusted on it's petals...

And the book?

I went a bit crazy at Amazon last week and ordered three new books.  Absolutely outrageous for cheap thrifty little moi, but since we have met and exceeded all our Dave Ramsey goals I figured it was ok.   The Spiritual Art of Being Organized arrived today. I won't offer a yay or nay until I've finished reading it (which will probably be later today.) 

How About Keeping Our Mouths Shut?? (which is almost impossible for me)

Another book I ordered is "The Way We're Working Isn't Working", which I've mentioned before.  It was a library book and I was quite impressed.  I gave it to my husband to read (a workaholic) and managed to keep my mouth shut (we women talk way too much) the entire time he was reading it. 

I never questioned him (a miracle) or worse said, "See - I've been telling you that stuff for years" (waaaaay not good!)   After reading the book for about a week I witnessed him closing down his office at a somewhat normal time and actually sitting in the living room reading a book.  Hmmmmmmmmm.  Still, I said nothing.  About two weeks after that he started quoting stuff from the book.  Whoooooooooeeeee!  Still, I said nothing.

At the end of last week I mentioned I wanted to re-read parts of the book but it was due back Monday.  Veeeerrry nonchalantly he said, "Maybe you should get us our own copy from Amazon."  Still, I said nothing.  Aren't you proud of me?

It's out in paperback now...