Thanksgiving Blues

Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. I use the phrase in the past tense because with Mom gone, the Holidays have taken on a different tone. We gather at my Sisters for a gathering rather than my Mom's house. My sisters house has a large room for just such events. A great room I beleive they are called. It is a stark difference from my Mom's squashed together atmosphere in her large kitchen, But when 17 or more people are gathered at the table, it's a claustrophobic.

But I did not mind it. I miss it. I miss my Mom. I suppose that is something you never get over, never recover from. Do you really want to recover from missing your Mom?

Since I am inserting personal revelations and observations, here goes again.

We had a graveside service for my Step Daughter. I miss her too. very much. My other step daughter came up from Atlanta. Asked how I was going I replied that I was in denial, that in denial was the only way I could cope with it, and taking it day by day. She agreed she was in denial also.

Today is the Celebration of Life. LO was having a good day for the Graveside Service. I expect him to have another good day this afternoon, though he does have Sundowners. I imagine the excitement and the stimulation was good for him. I realize we need to insert more stimulation of every kind into his routine.

Walking the dogs, going to the gym, perhaps joining a prayer group? 

Meanwhile, I find excused to not list items. The garage is cold and forbidding. The excess of items is overwhelming.

There is a new group I have joined on FB. The main purpose is to support each other to list our outstanding inventory and to encourage each other to not source until our unlisted inventory is put up for sale.

That is very difficult but doable. I have not taken a pledge or anything, but I do need to come up with a plan. I have been called out as not having a solid plan to reduce my hoarder lot. That really caught me off guard! Do I have a plan? No. Well sort of.

In January, when I will no longer have the 1500$ debt payment (reduced to 700) I will test the waters of having a booth at the Peddlers Mall. I will learn how to do things, what works what doesn't, my strengths and weaknesses, whether I like it or not. 

And I just need to stop sourcing. What I LOVE. Where else can you have the rush of nabbing something exquisite and KNOW you are going to triple, quadruple your money. That's called addiction. 

Two items I posted this morning before heading into the frigid garage. (and got in and wasted time posting!) 

BTW - Didn't sell a thing yesterday. 

Been Awhile

It has been along time since I have had days where I have not sold a thing. But, I had two of them this week!! Yet, I was still able to sell 12 (maybe 14...) items. A great week because I sold a Barbie Vinyl 1962 Lunch Box for 175$  Paid 10$ And yesterday I sold a Syracuse Porter Bowl from the 1920's for 85$ I paid 50 cents for it.  So a very good week. I even went over the 4 G's on E-bay. it was only a day then dropped back to the high 3800 - 3900's. I'm aiming for 5 G's.

Mercari has just died. It is November 21st and I have sold only 4 items on Merc. I think it could be a combination of things. A lot more sellers entering the Market from E-bay and 1st timers. And I am selling some high end stuff that typically does not do well on Merc. It was my bread and butter for a long time. Last year it was practically my only platform.

These antique bisque porcelain baby dolls sold for 30$. I noticed they were getting a lot of likes on Merc so I listed them on Ebay and they were gone that day! 

These Shiny Brite's sold in a heart beat when I posted them on Facebook. Also received an abundance of likes on Merc. They are old old. Someone will love and cherish them. I listed them and described them as best as I could. The close up pics did show the age - wear. Sold for 24$ on Facebook. I was asking 45$ but I believe these are from my first Lincoln auction way out in the county that I have made my money back several times. Got the Airforce Bag, the wading boots - two things off the top of my head. Packing these are going to be a nightmare.

Sold my flock of geese bowl. Got it for cheap at Legacy this summer. Have sold a couple of things from that haul, The blue cat creamer and sugar, another swan  and ....... 

Bought for 50 cents. Sold for 85$ 

Life, Interrupted

It's been a  tough crazy few days. And I came to the realization that my life, as I knew it before, is over. I am going to have to adjust and as much as I am in despair and my heart in shambles, I am going to have to find the opportunity to improve myself. To grow. Is it possible at my advanced age? Aren't things settled in? 

For example, I am a loner. Now I can never be alone again. Maybe when I dream. But my dreams are even interrupted with 3am phone ringing asking me if I am at work.

*Sigh*

I had a very good week end. Took five packages to the PO on Monday and an additional three on Tuesday, two today. I think. Life, interrupted.

Auction yesterday where I was able to pick up two llardo's for 5.80$ each. One is titled Debutant Woman (kind of an oxymoron don't ya think?) and she is worth north of 200$ I got 35 Barbie Hallmark Ornaments and a Royal Haegar I wanted and can not find one like it on E-bay or anywhere.

I picked up a beautifully encased Horse Racing Mint Julip glasses representing the Triple Crown of  The KY Derby, Preakness, and finally the Belmont. I confess, I have not checked the date. I'm hoping it is 2015 for American Pharo or 2017 for Justified. 

A bunch of Boyd Bear figurines because I could not help myself. They are so cute.

I was the only bid on a set of incomplete Bavarian plates (dessert plates and cups and saucers, a gravy bowl) for 2$ which I sold to a High Roller (she showed up late) for 30$ Yay me. 

Sometimes it pays to Take a Leap of Faith

 Several weeks ago at the Auction House in the middle of nowhere I bid on this lot of earrings. And this 

was the only picture. I thought "what the hell" and bid thinking I have been lucky before at my First Auction House where I bid on a lot of brooches and included were several Miriam Haskells. 

In this lot I found the six pairs of Chr Dior clip on's which so far have grossed me &170 (less fees - natch) and I have a lot more to go. Anything now is pure profit! I have several more Dior's and a host of costume jewelry Trifari, Monet etc.

Today I slipped away (much trepidation) and headed towards my new Honey Hole. I picked up a bag of silverware and tossed it into cart. BINGO. In bag, among the Wm.  Rogers and the Stainless were six pieces of Century Sterling. 

E-bay - 79 bucks! I've been very lucky. 

I'm determined to get a lot of jewelry on auction site tonight. Another of my favorite sites, this one is great. I love the platform it is hosted on. You are able to check the lots by low to high.

New SD Card

 Casa Fina mugs from the new Honey Hole Bin.

From Swisher. Have had forever (several months, since summer) and finally listed. 

What items do you find and can't wait to get home and list? This is a Secretariat Bobblehead. I paid dearly for a box of 7 items (50 plus 5 plus 6%) So around 58/7 = 8.30 per. I've sold a Secretariat Bobble head w/o a box before for excellent profit. I should be able to do the same with him and recoup most my investment. The rest tis gravy.

The gravy. Seabiscuit. One of the 7 items in the lot. Once again, purchased Tuesday and up with in a couple of day! 

I love these Melmac Allied Chemical cups and a sugar with lid. Found at the new Honey Hole. Reminds me of my Mom. You would receive these items as a premium for shopping at A&P. At least that is what I remember. Mom choose the blue color. I like this vintage pink! Maybe a movie set or a TV period piece from MCM will find them. By them.

 

A Barbie which I over paid for at the Old Honey Hole. I have had this for quite awhile. Paid 19.99 plus 6%. Reason I know this? It had about 15 or more 19.99$ little stickers all over it. I bought 2 of them and sold the other. Did not make a profit on that one. I suspect this will languish on the platforms for awhile as I priced it so to make my money back. I hate to lost anything.

I took a chance and bid and won a lot of earrings from the Auction Up 71 for 20$. What a great surprise. Five or six sets of Chr. Dior chip on's. I have sold 2 of them for about 120$ Less fees of course. But my initial 20$ is reaped and I have lots and lots of clip on sets to list. Gravy. This is Trifari enamel leaf with gold tone. In excellent condition. From the 80's I would guess. 

Bored and Depressed

 What a lethal combination! 

I'm bored with some of YT video reselling people. Please, no more trips to the Goodwill or the Thrift store. Or following you to the yard sales! Just bored silly. I've narrowed my viewing ship to about three people. The AP - he is so helpful and his no nonsense approach is what I prefer. DR is good too, thought he is in a category with a business plan that is 180 degrees different from mine, I still pick up good psychological coaching from him. My favorite "look what I found" is the AN who is so knowledgeable and so endearing that I thoroughly enjoy his jaunts into antique festivals etc. And, added points, he's from Kentucky,

I'm depressed for other reasons. My sales are okay. Not rocking like before (last year and earlier this year). But okay. I can net 1 grand a month still. My COG's are helter skelter, but I know when I'm in the profit zone because I mainly purchase lots. At the auction. And the Bins. 

I'm depressed because of my personal life. So much has happened in the past month. It was difficult leading up to the crash, but nothing like this. I like my anonymity. I loved being Alphawoman with only a very small group of people knowing who I was. The anonymity allowed me to explore my writing abilities, which I have to admit got pretty good. But, they have waned..I digress.

No one reads this humble little blog. It's for me. Yet, what if? Who cares.  Right? 

My step daughter passed away last month. It was not a shock as my LO and I were constantly saying " I fear She is not long for this world". She has been in and out of hospitals since May. Alcoholism and Drug addiction ruined her liver and ammonia build up destroyed her. I miss her. I have used her as a sounding board about LO. His dementia.  I realize it was a lot for a daughter to carry, but I did it for my Dad.

Me and Dad when I was a baby, He would have turned 102 the other day. He's been gone 13 years. 

I did not inherit much from either parent. I'm not certain where I get my personality traits, but when I think about the best of both my parents, I lack in evry category. Both had high IQ's in the 140's. I'm just a normal moron. Most of my siblings are extremely intelligent. I blame it on my big head (see picture) and the two days my Mom was in labor with me. Probably oxygen deprivation.  Lol. 

Both my parents were gregarious and had many many friends. They volunteered extensively. They were joiners, leaders. They were religious and faithful devout Catholics.

They were frugal and careful about money. When they died, the church was filled to capacity with people who came to honor their memory. I still occasionally hear a story of their generosity and support. I could go on but I'll stop here.

I have turned into an introvert. Maybe I always was one and just didn't know it or recognize it. I have lots of friends, had lots of friends growing up. Going to college. Always fit in at any place I worked. I do not shun away from people and hid, I just prefer to be alone.

Thus my problem with what is happening with my LO. I can not leave him alone any longer. If I am gone for more than an hour, he takes to the street looking for me. 

I have to take him with me everywhere. I hate it. It's not fair to him the way I react, the way I feel. He did not ask to become sick. I took these vows for better or worse. I remember.

Be careful what you wish for. I wanted to be married so badly. And now I am. Now I have to pay the piper.

That's it for now. Needed to write.  

 

 

Before I Delete My SD Card

 I'm about to wipe out my SD card and start another batch of listing pictures. I have to retake some pictures for listings I have already posted. I put the Light too close and a few are overexposed. Nevertheless, here are a few that I posted and sold within the past several weeks.

Just sold this from the new Honey Hole (AKA Second Chance) 69cents a pound sold for 30$

Reseller Guru

 Oh the things you can find on the Internet. Especially Facebook. There is no limit to the groups you can join (unless they require you to purchase a subscription... damn you D.R.!!) On one of the groups there is a gentleman who has a plethora of information on how he makes his "side hustle" successful and it is good stuff. I truly believe you have to have positive attitude to make things happen. Is there any other way? I would love to make a list of everything that is holding me back, but the simple truth is that it is me and my attitude towards the situation I have found myself in. Facts are that it  is all in my perception of the hand dealt me and it's up to me on how to play it.

I had a great October! And my listings are slowing down due to unforeseen circumstances ...... like life. But I can make all the excuses I want, the simple truth is I must make time and I must motivate myself.

This is what I've sold recently.....

You know I'm feeling depressed and so I'm going to leave it here and work on feeling better.