"It's About Time" Blog is done!

For Today:

Outside My Window: The sun is just coming up and it's wet out, but I'm thanking God for the rain. My veggies and flowers love it :-)

I am thinking: It's been forever since I've blogged. There's just so much more to do in the spring and summer, inside and outside, and there's no time to lolligag, lol!! Is that what this blog is.....lolligaging???? Oh well.

I am thankful for: Sarah healing so nicely, and being able to go back to work! That we FINALLY got to go to the river this weekend. I needed a vacation!!!!!!!! That my hubby went thrifting, yardsaling and shopping with me Friday and Saturday instead of working on the camper. And that we got to go to our River Church Sunday! Hey Enon.....here's who you'll see this Sunday: Paul Hollifield, REI Ministries. He has an awesome ministry!!

We stopped at Bethpage to visit our friend Mike and see his new RV
Yep, it was HUGE and GORGEOUS!!!

The Campground Yard Sale

Mom and Rob selling their wares. Ok, selling my wares!

My bluejean booty from the weekend!

From the Kitchen: not gonna cook today, taking the day off cause it's my birthday. Sub Sammy's maybe.....we'll see.

I am hoping: to get some jeans listed today and catch up on laundry!!

I am reading: 2 more eBay books, trying to find the best record keeping system. Online devotions, The Bible for Dummies.....yes, there is such a book and yes I need it!!!

I am creating: Finally, after over a year of trying to mix the two, I have created an email address just for eBay. Trying to work and play on Facebook just isn't working out for me. I spend too much time in other peoples biness, lol!!! If I were my boss, I'd fire my butt. Oh wait...I am my boss. Consider this a warning Crystal!! YIKES! (She sounds mean!) I have concentrate on work during work hours. Listen to me, I sound so professional, like I have a job or something. Pfft.....

I am praying: For direction for a certain something God knows all about. Wish I could just pick up the phone and talk to Him and hear exactly what He wants me to hear. Wouldn't that be so much easier????

I am hearing: Bobby's fan and my new clock in the living room...it ticks VERY loud. Oh, and birds singing outside. That's the best!

One of my favorite things: Well, the sweetheart roses my sweetheart brought me last night of course!

Around the house: I need to weed, they are taking over my flower bed and garden. All this rain has been good for them too, grrrr!! I'm happy to have more new windows in, only a few more to go and they'll all be done, yay!!! I'm dreaming of my new furniture and floors.......one day :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Gotta work on getting the cards ready for the 8 young men and women that are graduating this year! Wow, haven't had that many in a long time!!!!! Other than that, I hope it's going to be an easy week!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Look who we found at the campground!!
Stacey and Bryleigh Davis!!!

Found this awesome Snoopy at a yard sale for one buck!!!

Just in case you've missed the hundred other pics of the camper ;-)

A new picture mode on my new camera!!

Yes, I stole this picture right off Amanda's Facebook page!
Congratulations to Amanda and Stephen Pursley!
Little Sarah Eden was born yesterday weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs, 10 oz!!
She's PRECIOUS, and of course she has the best name EVER!!!!

"I knew you before I formed you
in your mother's womb.
Before you were born
I set you apart."
Jeremiah 1:5a (NLT)

Pray for our Children!

For Today:

Outside My Window: The wind is blowing and it's sooo nice out at 5:00 this morning!!! I'm not going to complain about the coming drop in temps. I've been ready for spring.....not summer!!!!!

I am thinking: I have sooo much to do, but want to start this day with Praise to my Lord and Savior with my blog! The rest will work it's way out through the day.....don't stress :-)

I am thankful for: The fact that my kids seem to be able to know and do what is right MOST of the time. We know several families struggling with the bad choices their young adult children have made. Thank God that even though Bobby isn't in Church right now (but he will be, I have faith!!), he has learned the lessons his dad has tried to teach him about right and wrong, and tries really hard to do the right things. I'm so thankful he doesn't have to struggle with the addictions that seem sooo normal for kids these days.



The 7 sales I had on eBay yesterday. And the 2 sales already this morning! God has really blessed us! I just knew these changes were going to be so bad, but they've actually been sooo good! I don't know about profits, I guess I'll see when my next invoice comes due, how much the increase is affecting me! I really needed a jump in sales just to cover the $43.00 a month increase in fees! Selling an extra 4-5 pairs of jeans a month would cover it, and so far it's working, yay!!!!!



From the Kitchen: Well, not sure. I'll have to rummage through the freezer and see what's calling my name. Maybe the Mexican Chicken Enchilada Dinner I bought the other day. Looked good to us, but we've never tried it before. I doubt I'll have time for a cooking marathon, so frozen will have to do.

I am hoping: To start a new ministry with Rob at Church. We've been asked to work with Angel Food Ministries to provide affordable discounted food to our community and Church Family. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ministry, and can't wait to start!

I am reading: Still reading scripture and devotions online, and trying to keep up with our nightly couples devotions, but it's sooo hard lately.

I am creating: Space for the 71 pairs of jeans I bought yesterday! 71 pairs for $200.00. THAT was awesome!!!

I am praying: For several families. My cousin Jack's daughter Kim and her husband Clayton lost her twin babies Easter Sunday. I can't imagine the pain and heartbreak. God gained two beautiful little angels, and they'll watch over you until you meet them in heaven. What do you say at a time like this? There's nothing to take the pain away. Kim has always loved kids so much, and I know more than anything she longs to be a mommy. God will honor that wish Kim. We don't know or understand His plans, but we know they are perfect, and so is His timing. God will bless you with more children, and you will be a GREAT mom! Of that, I have no doubt!!!


Also, three families are having issues with their young adult sons. They've made choices that have lead to addictions, legal troubles, and unbelivable pain and hardship for their families. God can turn these situations around, and I pray He will. It makes me so sad to think about how the devil is out to devour our children. If ever they needed prayer, they need it today. Don't forget to lift your kids up in prayer EVERY day! Satan is just waiting to snatch them up and if we're not praying for them, who will?????


I'm also praying for my hubby. His load is never lifted. He has sooo much to do inside and outside of the house, and so little time. Every time he gets one thing done, two things fall apart. He needs a husband, lol!! A FREE handyman househusband!! That would be so cool. Thank you baby for working so hard, with no time just to enjoy yourself. Your sacrifices are noticed and appreciated more than you could know!!!!!

I am hearing: Rebs is laying in the hallway dreamimg, and making little doggie squeeky noises while "running" in place. Too cute!!!! And the birds are singing their hearts out this morning. It sounds so "Springy"!!!

One of my favorite things: Ya'll.....did you know there is a Thrift Store Paradise out there??? On Midlothian Turnpike (Richmond exit), there are 3....yes 3....thrift stores within a minute of each other. And another not far away! Oh my goodness......I was in heaven! Well, until that man came in dressed in his best hooker outfit. Even women hoochies don't dress THAT bad, but that's a story for another day. Anyway, I found the Goodwill outlet!!! Why hasn't anybody told me about this place before??????? I knew it existed, but I didn't know where. They had huge bins full of clothes, and you paid for them by the pound. It was awesome! I got two GINORMOUS bags full of jeans for $40.00! I should have taken a picture for the blog but dude......I was preoccupied!!!!!!!

Around the house: Jeans.....lots of jeans.

A few plans for the rest of the week: No doctors appointments this week!!! Joyyyyyyy :-)
Today I have to plant a couple of veggies in pots, I have lots more, but Rob has to dig up my garden plot this weekend. We were planning on going to the river, then we decided not to, then we weren't sure. I think it still stands at "not sure"! There's so much to do around the house. But.......


Devotional: Worship God from a heart of gratitude for who He is, and let Him speak to you today. True worship creates an atmosphere where He CAN speak to us, and He wants our expressions of praise and love for Him to be as natural and spontaneous as breathing.

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker (in reverent praise and supplication). Psalm 95:6



Here is the picture I am sharing:

We thought for a second about going for the Gangsta...oops, I mean dignified look for Easter:

Sooo cute!

My man makes a mean ice cream and strawberry dessert! It was yummy!!

I know ya'll are just DYING to see my new warehouse/office makeover, lol!!!

BEFORE:



AFTER:

Can you tell a difference? Yes you can!!!! Well....I can!!!!


This is all Rob has left of HIS shed,
Have a blessed day everyone,
and BE a blessing to somebody somewhere along the way!!

Selling on eBay

For everybody who has been asking about how to sell on eBay, I’m going to tell you how I learned. BECAUSE, if I try to teach each person individually, it would take tons of time, and unfortunately, I just don’t have that kind of time these days.


The first thing you need to do is to set up a PayPal account if you don’t already have one. I didn’t set mine up, Rob did years ago, so I really don’t know how to do that part. Just go to PayPal.com and follow the instructions. You must have PayPal to sell on eBay now, that’s the only form of payment they “officially” let you accept.


Next you need to set up an account with eBay. Once again, Rob did this years ago, so I’m in the dark again, but it can’t be hard. Just go to eBay.com, click Register, and fill in the information. You’ll create a user ID and a password. My advice: make it simple and short, something easy to remember.


Once you’ve set up an account, you can click on “Sell” at the top and post your item. There are so many things that vary from person to person, and when you first start selling, it can take FOREVER to get something listed. You have to have a digital camera. You have to know how to use your picture program. It helps if you crop your pictures to make them look nicer. These programs are all different, and I only know how to use mine, so I can’t help you there……see why it’s impossible for me to show everybody how to do this????


You also have to have a postal scale to weigh your items so you can figure out shipping costs.


You have to have something to ship your item in. The post office provides free Priority Mail shipping boxes for bigger items. For small items under 13 ounces, you have to provide your own package. I ship all my smaller items in polybags that I buy on eBay.


You also have to have bubble wrap or packing peanuts if you’re selling something fragile. You have to pack VERY well, because you will be held responsible if your item arrives broken!!


Here’s what I did, and what I suggest you do:


Go to the library and check out all the books you can find on selling on eBay! You can also go straight to the eBay site, and they have tons of tutorials that walk you through every process, but it helps to have a book right in front of you.


Get a notebook and make sections like: Listing, Shipping, Fees, etc. Write all the important stuff in the correct section, because you’ll need to refer to it over and over until you get it memorized.


It helps if you buy a few things on eBay before you sell, as a lot of people won’t buy from people with a 0 feedback score. So, buying a few things and getting good feedback will help you sell your items better.


You’ll have to read about what to do as you go along. Every different item you sell will be set up differently, and you just have to look at other peoples auctions for the same thing and figure it out.


I guess what I’m trying to say is this: It took me a good 6 months to read everything and figure out everything about selling, and I’m still learning. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, eBay goes and changes the rules (they do that often), and you have to learn something new.

There’s really no way to sit down and show somebody how to sell in just a couple of hours. There’s too much to it. If you want to sell, you’ve got to make that commitment to teach yourself because you will be learning new stuff constantly.


My next suggestion: If you don’t have the time to commit to learning eBay, just put it on Craigslist. It’s much easier for the casual seller, there are no fees, and you do have to worry about shipping it!

I sell all of my bigger items on Craigslist. On eBay you have to pack it up just like it will be shipped, weigh it and figure out the shipping method. That’s why I only like to sell clothes on eBay!!!


Sorry I haven’t been much help, but it’s really something you have to figure out on your own. I could help you get one item on eBay, but the next one will be completely different, and if you didn’t do it yourself, you’d be completely lost all over again.

I also bought an eBook from somebody who was a proven seller on eBay, and used her tips and ideas to grow my business.


The last thing you need to know is that eBay takes a LOT of time and effort and storage space. You can spend 12-14 hours a day trying to get everything done. There is all the listing, getting the packages ready for shipping, and you have to deal with a lot of people (some of who will be dishonest and try to get something for nothing!!)

You need to have LOTS of room for storing your items, and have to be able to get to those items right away. The downside for me is that my whole house looks like a warehouse, there is inventory in the living room, dining room, bedroom, Sarah’s room, AND out in the shed and up in the attic!!!!!


You really, really have to love it to deal with it long term. Selling casually means you can put things up for auction when you want to. Having a store means you HAVE to maintain it EVERY day, no matter if you’re sick, on vacation, etc. You will always have something that needs to be done.


For me, it’s really the only option because I have a hard time taking time off a “real” job when Sarah goes in the hospital or has an extended illness. But, a real job is a lot less work, and when it’s time to go home, you can leave it until the next day. Just something to think about….

Snow Days!!!

Of Course! I blog about how nice the weather is, and missing the River, and we get the biggest snow storm we've had in 9 years!!

It was sooooo pretty though. We don't get that much snow here, so it was great. 3 different people sent me snow pictures. It was a BIG DEAL!!

This is what it looked like when I went to bed

And this is what it looked like the next morning.
Rob shoveled both sidewalks at 5 am before he went to work.
He shouldn't have. You couldn't even tell it an hour later!
Bobby & Katybug (in her PJs!)
That kind of weather calls for stew and Cornbread. Brunswick stew from the Optimist Club, no less.
It's THE BEST!!!!
Bobby and Kate don't do cornbread, so bring on the grilled cheese!
and of course, everybody wanted a different dessert!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pebbles Treats for Sarah, Frosted Brownies for Me, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for Bobby, and Robert's Orange Rolls were long gone by the time I took this picture. This snow storms gonna cost me another 10 pounds!!!!

Bobby was nice enough to take me out and about today. We went to the Post Office (I had another great week for eBay, and had to mail 2 international packages today), and the grocery store. They've been out of bread for 2 days now, so we finally got that, and stuff to make Breakfast for dinner, Bobby's request!

So tonights Crappy Dinner will be Homemade Sausage that Mom & Dad gave me, Bacon, Gravy, Biscuits and Eggs.
I won't get any complaints tonight, yay!!!!!!!!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow, it's been such a busy week with eBay. I had my best week ever last week, selling 29 items. And so far this week I've sold 9 things in 2 days. I don't know what's going on, but I'm liken it!!

There were a lot of problems and changes this past weekend too. The site that Robert Lee and I use to list our items was injected with virus malware, and whenever somebody clicked on a picture in our listing, they got a warning that their computer could be infected. NOT GOOD!! AND we couldn't do any posting or scheduling all weekend. That just wasn't going to work for me, I have 4 buckets of stuff to get listed before we start going back to the River, and I keep buying jeans every week, and I'm never gonna get caught up as it is, so I joined another site.

I had to pay a monthly fee for this site, but already I LOVE it so much more. The templates are cuter (and it's all about the cute for us women!) and the site is easier to use once you get used to it. So Sorry Auctiva, I've found a new love, Seller Sourcebook!!

So, if you sell on ebay, and don't use a Third Party Site for listing, you might want to check them out. It makes all the difference in how your listings look!

Check out one of my new listings, it's too cute!! Click Here

Well, I better go for now. Sarah is kicking me off the computer. She says it's her turn! By the way, you gotta check out her latest blog entry to see a hilarious picture of how she puts her pants on in the morning! It's "Moon Shine" time, lol

Adaptive Toys & My Poor Bobby!

Bobby got the ax Tuesday! There had been rumors for a couple of months. First they cut out overtime. Then they farmed out some of their deliveries to UPS, now they've finally laid off. I'm sad. He looked so cute in his little uniform. I didn't even get a picture of him in it, because he hadn't had them very long.

He's gone to Newport News today to some U-Haul headquarters with his friend who also got laid off, maybe something will come of it. It's another one of those "I know somebody deals" like this last job. That may be the only way to find a job these days, you gotta know somebody!

eBay has been good to me this week. Sales are up, and auctions are good. It's about time. I lowered my prices to where I originally started, and that's made some difference. I'll still probably lose my Powerseller status, but lots of people have lately. Sales just aren't that good.

I'm really getting tired of all the "stuff" around though. I think I'll just stick with jeans. I keep saying that, and all this other stuff keeps finding its way in somehow.

I have this obstacle in my diet. It's called MOM. Every time I decide I'm gonna be good, she wants to go out to lunch!! By the way, lunch was great Mom. I'm not really complaining! But she won't be here today, so I'll try once again to be good.

I found some pictures of "Modified Toys" and the such I thought some of you might like to see.



In case you're not familiar with these, this is a beach chair. You can rent them at the beach by the hour, day or week, depending on where you are. (Myrtle Beach, SC was by the hour, Nags Head, NC was by the week). You have to schedule it in advance, and they deliver it right to you. They are awesome!! The cost now is about $35 a day. We were able to roll Sarah up and down the beach, and they roll pretty easy. She could go out in the water too. They float, but you have to stay right with them, they'll tip over. Especially in the ocean.

Robert built this one for Sarah. Bless his heart, he worked sooo hard on it. It was great for taking out in the sound side of the ocean. Sarah could go way out in it. But, it didn't work as good as the "real" ones, so he broke it up and threw it away right after this!!

I can't remember who gave Sarah this Tricycle, some type of Organization. Robert thinks it was a charitable group through the C & P Telephone. I don't even remember how they found out about Sarah. It may have been through her school. Anyway, it had a hard plastic seat that was almost like a booster seat with harness straps to hold her in, and foot rests with straps, and the handles turned like pedals, so she "pedaled" with her hands. Here's a link to the newer models of trikes. This would be another great thing to try to get Civic Groups to help with, because they are very expensive, but so worth it.

This is one of those Ride in cars like lots of kids had, Robert just ran a wire from the gas pedal to the steering wheel with a little switch that Sarah pushed to go and let go to stop.

That's all for today. Have a great one!

It's Monday Morning, the first week in February. Let's see how those New Years Resolutions are going!!

1. Lose Weight: Lost 5 pounds!! Yay, Happy Dance. Gained 5 pounds. Sob. Eat another cookie.
2. Don't work nights: Did great most of the month. Worked 3 nights last week, much to Robs dismay!!
3. Read Bible every day: Okay, this one I've got down. Doing great!
4. Keep on top of my Prayer Life: This one is still hard. I'm Praying a lot more during the day, but still fall asleep trying to pray at night, Urgh!!

Well, it seems the greatest problem right now is weight. Do you ever get so miserable you don't even want to put on clothes? No, well aren't you just the lucky one! I've been living in sweats all winter, and when I do put on a pair of jeans, Mom and Robert tell me I look so much smaller. Well you would too if you were squeezing 10 pounds of lard into a 5 pound sack!! Give me a break, one of these days those jeans are gonna blow, and trust me, you don't want to be around when that happens. Gonna be some injuries for sure!

Soooo, once again today, I'll start all over. Except that I already had a cookie that Bobby and Kate made last night with my coffee this morning. Good thing they burnt em slam up. One's about all I can handle!

My Wittle Bobby and His Wittle Kate!

Now, here's what happens when you start a blog about an adult child of yours: She's starts a blog of her own to dispute everything you say, haha! Sarah has started her own blog!! At least she can do much of it herself. All I did was set up her account. After all, she's an old MySpace Pro, so she can teach me a thing or two!! Check it out if you'd like. You can get to hers by clicking on her picture on my blogs followers.

I had a great weekend with eBay. Sold quite a few things. Got lots listed. Got lots scheduled for auction. Every time I think I'm getting caught up, I get more "stuff". Bobby cleaned out his room again this weekend, and gave me lots of "Almost Brand New" things he doesn't want. Why does he buy this stuff and then not use it? Well okay, he's just like me!!

I plan on working on Sarah's school pictures today, but first, I just had to post pictures showing that she really did USED to love her brother, and actually got along with him!

Awe, they were so sweet and innocent back then!

This would NEVER happen today


Or this

Back then they called this fun, now they call it torture

Precious little Bean Snappers!!

I just found out the the Spina Bifida conference is at Disney World this year! That figures! It finally gets close enough to where we could possibly go, and it's at the worst possible time. Too many renovations left to work on, not enough time or money! Such is life.

On a sad note: The Cardinals lost the World Series. I mean the Super Bowl. Whatever!! It's just a dumb game with a ball and boys in leotards!

Long Term Care Waiver Update

I finally made it to my Aunt Claudine's house yesterday to fill out the application for Medicaid so she can receive the waiver. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. In her case anyway, because she doesn't have much in the way of income or assets.

The first three pages look overwhelming because you have to list every little detail about every person living in your home, but when you get to reading it, it's pretty simple stuff like name, DOB, SS#, school info, etc .

The next section was on resources. This was the only tricky part for me. Here you have to list Checking Acct info, Stocks or bonds, Questions about personal property, vehicles owned, health insurance, and life insurance. I didn't understand the stock section, but hubby helped me with the one part I couldn't figure out.

The third section is on income. This is where you have to list ALL sources of money coming into the home, that was easy since all she has is Social Security and Retirement.

All in all it was fairly simple. It took us about 1 hour to complete, mostly because she had to keep getting up to find information, and she's not moving so fast these days. Of course, she's the only one in her household, and she doesn't own much, so anyone with a family could expect to take a little more time since you have to list every family member.

I will mail the form back today, and we'll see how it goes from there. I'll let ya know!!

eBay News:

Wow, I sold 5 things yesterday, and got up this morning and had sold 2 more things overnight! Praise the Lord! I think I'll keep at this a little longer!

I was sooo disappointed that we didn't get snow the other day, but no worries, one of my customers from CT told me she would mail me some cause they had a blizzard there!! Now there's an idea for some of you eBayers. Mail order snow. I bet you could make a killing!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day :)

Good Morning,

I have a few pictures of Sarah's first pieces of Equipment.


Ok, so these first two pics aren't technically MEDICAL equipment, but they worked great for stability! She felt safe and secure in a laundry basket, and she loved them, as you can tell.


This picture is of Sarah's first "Rolling Chair". It was made by the father of a girl I worked with at the time. He was a welder, or sheet metal worker, or whatever, and he designed it to be low to the floor so she would feel safe, but also had wheels she could roll herself. (This was before her latex allergy became known).

I know you can't in most circumstances get one of these made, but I wanted to include it to show you how people who don't even know you will step up and help out. (He met Sarah once.) There are some AMAZING people in this world. Don't be shy about accepting help wherever you can get it. Trust me, it can come few and far between.

This is Sarah's first standing frame. She really hated it, but her grandpa made her a round table with a hole in the middle, and we would put her in there and she would turn and play all around that table. It really was neat, and I know I have a picture somewhere, but I can't find it right now. (I'm sure she's telling me in this picture: You put that camera down and come get me out of here RIGHT NOW!!)
Here is her first set of braces. If she hated the standing frame, she hated the braces ten times worse!! She would throw a fit when she had to wear them. She never really was able to walk with them, and we eventually gave up on the idea. (But Sarah was really into "Reading" the Bible!!)
Here is her second standing frame. She liked this one a little better because she could lean forward or stand straight, and she could play on the table. It was also all one piece which made her feel more secure. The school bought her an even nicer one to use there. I'll show that one in her school photos.

Next time I will post pictures of our Kitchen Modifications, then school pics and Bathroom modifications.

Meanwhile.......

Previously in the the Jeffreys Household:

Bobby’s Home!

Bobby comes home from work.

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Chicken & Rice
Bobby: Eeewwwww

Next Day:
Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Pork Chops
Bobby: Grosssss

Next Day:
Bobby, Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Shrimp
Bobby: COME ON MOM, why don’t you ever make anything I like?

Me: Uh, cause you don’t like anything but Pizza Rolls and Hot Pockets!

Fine, from now on I’ll only make things Bobby likes so he’ll eat at home instead of at Sonic!

Next Day:

Bobby comes home from work.

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Hot dogs and Homemade Chili
Bobby: Ooooooooh, okay!!

Robert comes home from work.

Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Hotdogs
Robert: Gross, nasty, heartburn, are ya trying to kill me?
Me: Urgh…..

Next Day:

Bobby: Mom, what’s for dinner?
Me: Fish Stick Sandwiches
Bobby: Aiiight!!!

Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Fish Stick Sandwiches
Robert: Who in their right mind would eat a Fish Stick sandwich?
Me: I’m gonna lose it here real soon!

Wait, I think I have the answer. Something I KNOW they both like!!

Next Day:

Bobby: What’s for dinner?
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Bobby: Oh yea, I been wanten me some Rosa’s Pizza!!
Robert: What’s for dinner?
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Robert: Okay (he’s excited, trust me)
Me: I’m good, I’m good I’m really really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah comes in

Sarah: Mom, what’s for dinner:
Me: Rosa’s Pizza
Sarah: I just don’t like Rosa’s Pizza anymore.

I take a Valium and thank the Lord that I haven’t lost my everloven mind!

Yet……..

eBay:

I finally finished listing the last 15 girls bathing suits last night. I said I wasn't going to do eBay at night anymore, but Rob went to bed early, and Biggest Loser was on, and I couldn't just sit in front of the TV and do nothing. So I got it done, and I'm soooo glad it's finally over! 5 more boys suits and i'll be done with bathing suits for good. I can move on the the HUGE bucket of shorts that have to list next :(

Congrats to Everybody!

God is Good! I'm sitting here snug as a bug in a rug. Well okay, I'm freezing, but you know what I mean. I'm all tucked in at home, having canceled my appointment with my Aunt due to the impending blizzard (well we might get some flurries) and my sick van (it had the runs all over the driveway) so I don't want to drive to Hopewell and risk getting stuck somewhere on a back road.

So here I sit, in my Gown and Robe, and Slippers that haven't warmed my icy toes YET. I've already put Cabbage Rolls in the Crock Pot and my first of two batches of Homemade Bread in the Bread Machine.

Here's the bad news. In about 3 hours, my house will be smelling sooo good, and my stomach will be growling sooo loud, and it won't even be lunch time yet, and I'll be dying by the time I get to eat this yummy dinner!! These kinds of obsessions are what keep my butt so big.

I want to say Congratulations to two of my cousins who got married recently.

Jeff & Kelly, what a cute couple!!

Jeff's Kids, Tyler and Hannah

And PJ and Sophie
Awe, Best Wishes you Guys!!

PJ is just 4 days older than Sarah. Here's a pic of them when they were babies
See Sophie, he's always been a cute poot!!

While I'm at it, Congrats to our new babies too!!!

~~Welcome baby Alexandra~~
I can't believe my BABY brother has three babies of his own
The Perfect Family
Bridget and Robert Lee
Mahala, Keri & Alex
(Hey Rob, what's those weird things sticken out of your ears?)

~~Welcome Baby Abigail~~

My cousin Donnie, Colleen, and Abby

Worth every minute of that wicked labor!!

Children are a heritage of the Lord,
the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Psalm 127:3

eBay News:

I've checked my e-mails and and learned one very valuable lesson for today. NEVER ship anything without Delivery Confirmation!! My Paypal shipping link was not working, and I don't for the life of me understand why you can't print first class shipping on the USPS site, but anyway, here I was, forced to go to the Post Office to ship for several days. The first two days, I paid for the shipping confirmation, even though they charge 75 cents at the PO, and only 18 cents if you print it online. The third day I wisely thought: Hmm, I've never lost a package yet, it's been 11 months, I'm not paying that rip-off price for confirmation. WRONG WRONG WRONG move.
Of course, someone e-mails me that they have not received their package, and could i please send the tracking #. Now, I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but why would they ask for the tracking number first thing? Why wouldn't they ask if their package has been shipped? I know there are people who take advantage of situations like that, I'm just hoping that's not the case here because I like to think that my customers are as honest as I am. I'm glad it was something small, has to be for first class mail and I'm not out much money, as I now have to refund the customer, urgh!!!!! Anyway, they'll get their 8 bucks back, and everyone will be happy, and I'll never ship without confirmation again. See, now I can say I learned something new today, and we should all strive to learn something new EVERY day, right?

Check out this entry on the eBay message board:
Wow! I can hardly believe my good fortune. Since i have almost no sales on eBay now is the time for me to add product without the inconvenience of always shipping items.

I want to list 140 more items to reach a total of 500.
Since i only use store listings and 30 day fixed with auto relist, then I can just set back and wait for sales.

Since I have few sales now, think of all the time I will be saving. The only problem is that they may forget who I am at the post office.

That sounded like me before Christmas. Sales were dead! I worried about how I could keep up and get ready for Christmas and guess what? I did all that worrying for nothing. See, I try to tell Robert that it doesn't pay to get your panties all in a bunch. What will be will be!! I'm convinced that you have to keep auctions going at all times, that's what brings business into your store. So, what's the agenda for today? LIST LIST LIST to auction. I'll transfer about 10 items in every size I can find to auction and see if I can generate some more business like I did last week. It really works people, I'm tellen ya!!! Business has picked up, not where it was, but I'm moving forward, getten there!

Last night I went through EVERY picture album up in Sarah's closet (about 15), and pulled out a bunch of pictures of her using her equipment over the years. Then Robert sat and looked at them and had a little moment. She was such a character when she was little. Coulda easily been an actress!! BUT, she told me yesterday after reading my blog, "You know, my middle name is NOT Spina Bifida, so don't just talk about that when you talk about me!" So, just to make her happy, I will tell you that she is just like any other young lady. Any other MOODY, GROUCHY, PMSing, MAN OBSESSING young lady. How's that Sarah, did I do good? Uh Oh, now's not the time to be messen with her head. She's in that I HATE EVERYBODY, LEAVE ME ALONE state, and she's really gonna make me pay when she reads this.

Anyhoo, I will scan and add more pics soon, I promise. I just HAVE to work on eBay first. It brings in the money (occasionally).

But first I think I'll go throw on an extra pair of socks....