Rule I Live By

I tell people all the time but for some reason no one ever listens to me. I don’t know why. Any one that knows me knows I’m not soft spoken. I know they can hear me so they choose to ignore me. But all I can say is “your loss”.

One of the rules I live by is “it doesn’t hurt to ask”. Prime example came up a couple weeks ago. A fellow employee from another office told me her father in law passed away. He lived in Mississippi (we are in California just in case you didn’t know) and her husband had a couple days to get down there for the funeral. They didn’t have enough money to fly him out so he was going to take the bus. Yes you heard that right. The bus! The trip was going to take two days. He was going to have to get off the bus and practically go straight to the funeral. So I told her my rule to live by “it doesn’t hurt to ask”. We have a General Manager at our old corporate office (we were recently bought out by a bigger company so they aren’t actually our corporate office anymore) that is really nice and he flies a lot for business. Several years ago he gave me a free round trip ticket when I needed one (all I had to do was ask). My coworker and this manager were on friendly terms, they had actually just had lunch the week before so I told her to call and ask him if he was will to sell her a ticket (which was free to him) after she explained the situation. I knew he would never charge her since it didn’t cost him anything but that way she didn’t feel bad asking. She was a bit embarrassed to approach him but after some pushing on my part she emailed him. The next morning I received a phone call from her bright and early. The manager said yes, she could have it for free. The ticket was already bought and her husband would be on his way the next morning to attend the funeral. Everyone was happy. And all it took was for her to ask.

I have received so many free or discounted things in my life just by asking. I can tell you I probably hear no about 75% of the time but I figure I’m no worse off then I was before I asked so what does it hurt. It’s just second nature for me now to ask and it comes out with little thought. Unfortunately this happened a couple of weekends ago. I asked with little thought. A friend had a very cute (and big) green M&M candy display. I asked her “can I have it?” and the next day she called to tell me it was in her driveway. I could go by and pick it up at any time. Now what am I going to do with a huge green M&M. She sells well on eBay but I can’t even imagine shipping it. I might just keep it until Halloween and use it to hold our candy on the front porch. Either that or I will stick her on Craigslist and hope someone bites.

Princess Camp

I'm beginning to think I had a very deprived childhood. I didn't get to do any of the things my daughter gets to do. Gymnastics, dance, recitals, soccer, and last week was Princess Camp. Yes there is such a thing as Princess Camp. I couldn't make something like that up even if I tried.

The Friday before camp started I received a call from the coordinator. She gave me some basic info I should know and also informed me that most girls come in a Princess costume. Oh great. I had just sold the last Princess dress I had listed on eBay. I did have a Tinkerbell outfit (luckily the first day was Fairy Princess day) and the old standby Snow White costume. This is the one I bought on eBay my Princess' first Halloween. She has worn it at least a half a dozen times. But the camp lasted three days so I was one outfit short. I was tempted to buy one from eBay but 1)I'm cheap and 2)I wasn't sure I would receive it on time. I called my niece and sister hoping one of them had one listed I could use. My sister came through with a Barbie Princess dress that she hadn't gotten around to listing yet.

First day of class all the little girls where in every Disney Princess costumes you could imagine. Some had dresses fancier then the one I wore to prom so long ago. Looking around I realized a few things. First, soon these dress would be selling at a fraction of the original price at yard sales. Second, parents will spend outrageously amounts of money on their children. Last, this is the reason costumes sell all year long on eBay. There is always some day camp, party, sleep over, or play date that requires that special costume a child must have.

It doesn't matter what time of year it is. I always look for costumes a yard sales (thrift stores around me don't put them out until September) and list them right away. I've actually found that you have a lot less competition when it's not Halloween season.

This week my daughter has Super Hero camp. Luckily I was able to find a costume this weekend for her. I must learn to plan ahead.

Lunch Date

I have a lunch date tomorrow with my DM. It's not a typical work lunch. He is bringing his wife along because he wants me to give him some pointers on selling on eBay. When will I learn to say no? At least I'm getting a free lunch out of it. So I've been thinking on what advice I can give her and I'm at a loss no feel like the blind leading the blind. I wrote down a few tips this weekend but my mind is going blank. But how do you say no to your boss. 

I'm going to look at this in a positive way. It's always good to have someone who can fire you on your side. And if I can help someone else get started making some extra money I'm sure their is some good karma in there somewhere. 

Hopefully it doesn't come back and bite me in the behind. 

Dance Recital

It's next weekend but today is picture day. I never had any of this growing up. 

I Need Some Me Time

I want to be alone so I can sit in my room and be sad. Jason took Princess and Mom has baby. And I'm in bed surrounded by my doggies and trying not to think the worst and cry. Chin up and all. 

Today I met with Social Worker for baby. She was so happy because parents are on the right track. I know I should be happy for them as human beings. But I'm not. I know anything can change in the next 5 months. And it's wrong for me to pray for bad stuff but in my heart I hope for the worst because I know that would be best for the baby and my family. 

 

Today I hate social services and I question my sanity in wanting to do this again. I had one go right.  Why role the dice with another. 

Tomorrow I will put a smile on my face and pretend everything is ok. I will remind myself that I am doing good in a child's life even if its for a moment or a lifetime. But I don't think I will ever do this again. Because my heart breaks just thinking about losing her. 

Pay Attention

It seems like I'm always repeating myself with my Princess. "Nice hands!" "Sit still!" "Pay attention!" Rules to live by but we sometimes forget as adults. 

Life is so fast. Go go go! We forget to stop and pay attention. And in the world of sellers it really pays to pay attention. How do we know what people want unless we pay attention? What shows are popular on TV? What are kids into these days? I will sometimes sit and spend time with my nieces and nephews and just listen to what their interests are. And sometimes it pays off. 

This morning we went to a garage sales. I looked in a shoe box they had on the table and inside were a bunch of Skylanders. I turned to Jason and commented on them. The seller told me "your the first person who knew what they were". I asked her how much they were and she asked her son. $2.00 each or $10.00 for all of them. I paid him the $10.00 and grabbed my box. 

I had heard my nephews mention Skylanders before. They are figures you place on a portal and they connect to your game console. I'm sure I'm not explaining this right. I had no idea what they sold for but I knew I could at least make double my investment. Once I looked them up on eBay I was really surprised what some go for. I split my find into three listings. If they all sell I will make $150 from my $10 investment. And I already sold one lot for $80.00. So sometimes it really does pay to pay attention. And it pays to look for Skylanders. 

These are about 2" tall and the easiest ways to spot them is their fluorescent green bottom. 

They come with a sticker, card and code but even if they don't have them they sell well. 

And I highly recommend taking the time to look them each up. Some sell for much more. The guy on the left above sold for $35.00 on its own. The one on the right sells for about $7-10. LOOK THEM UP! 

Goodwill Shopping

My oldest niece graduated from college today. I'm so proud of her. Since I wasn't able to go to garage sales this morning mom and I decided to hit Goodwill to get our "fix" for the day. It always makes me sad when people donate frames that still have their family pictures in them. It makes me want to take them home so they aren't all lonely on a thrift store shelf or wall.

Please before you donate remove your pictures from frames. You don't want to end up like this nice couple.