[Weft]

I can so relate, I used to sell my handmade items (wreaths, quilts, plastic canvas jewelry boxes etc on ebay. But it got to the point that when you figure in fees for Paypal say on a 10.00 (fair price) item plus shipping I was making 2 bucks avg...

Now when I look on Ebay all you see are big name stores, businesses its not fair, seems they got greedy and priced the folks who made Ebay what it is out

I used to sell my lampwork beads on ebay. Garnered a good reputation and was building a good base. Then I quit to move to take care of my mother. That's over now; so I looked on ebay to see what the market was. None. No high class lampwork beads now unless I'm being totally stupid in looking them up. None of the famous names are there now. Mostly it's just stupid Chinese prison peoples' products.

ebay may be making a lot of money with Chinese imports, but they've shot themselves in the foot with their ridiculously high fees; and the high postage prices don't help, either. ebay doesn't market to the personal base anymore with which they began.

Anyone who thinks that are a lot of good moral companies who opt for the US economy over making tons of money are, um, short-sighted is a nice way to put it (but my vernacular says other words.) Yes, let's just go Republican and let the market win. the rich get richer.

 

[Weft]

ok here is my rant(S) of the month; the 8th of this month was my bday, 1 daughter grown (I have 2) remembered to leave a message for me on FB wishing me a fun day, ....

Sorry, Jeanie, I've never ever been bent out of shape because someone didn't remember my birthday after my 12th and my own parents said it was a kid thing. They may not have been correct, but it reduced the importance of birthdays in my world.

In addition to that my main rant is about my roommate, we have been friends for 16 yrs and he has been my roommate for 14 (it' s my house),....

Is this man a man you love? You've always said roommate, but your reactions are more of a spouse. On my curious side, would you mind explaining how you've been with a male roommate for 14 years, and haven't gone to the lesbian side or wanting a lover? I know that's terribly personal, and if you don't want to answer, it's cool. I'm simply stumped by it.

 

[JeanieB]

JeanieB, have you tried selling your crafts on Etsy?

No I havent heard of that, what is it?

 

[JeanieB]

JeanieB: Happy Birthday... please investigate eCrater for a selling site for your stuff. I have been selling there since 2008 and love it. Don't know what to tell you about your a-hole roommate except I have a 2x4 you can borrow to slap him upside the head with.

Havent heard of that one either, wow great ideas... I have lots of tree branches that will probably work as good as a 2x4 lol hmmmm.

 

[JeanieB]

JeanieB--

Happy birthday!

Wishing you a blessed and happy year.

Go get one of those little birthday cakes and some candles and throw yourself a birthday party. Most women have to do this at some time (and sometimes all the time) because we're the ones that do the shopping and baking.

Make your favorite dinner (or splurge and get delivery) and rent a funny movie.

Maybe get some itching powder for that cast : : :

Happy birthday, again.

I must be feeling evil, I like the itching powder suggestion, and the cake lol im bad

 

[JeanieB]

I used to sell my lampwork beads on ebay. Garnered a good reputation and was building a good base. Then I quit to move to take care of my mother. That's over now; so I looked on ebay to see what the market was. None. No high class lampwork beads now unless I'm being totally stupid in looking them up. None of the famous names are there now. Mostly it's just stupid Chinese prison peoples' products.

ebay may be making a lot of money with Chinese imports, but they've shot themselves in the foot with their ridiculously high fees; and the high postage prices don't help, either. ebay doesn't market to the personal base anymore with which they began.

Anyone who thinks that are a lot of good moral companies who opt for the US economy over making tons of money are, um, short-sighted is a nice way to put it (but my vernacular says other words.) Yes, let's just go Republican and let the market win. the rich get richer.

I agree about Ebay and its all about money. I think I will remain a liberal democrat-prepper and let the chips fall where they may. I am not saying all republicans are bad but I have certain beliefs and ideals that I hold dear and they seem to go the other route.

Republicans are great to debate with, love when i get a chance to do that... win or lose, I still feel invigorated. Mostly I win or tie so its all good lol.

 

[JeanieB]

Sorry, Jeanie, I've never ever been bent out of shape because someone didn't remember my birthday after my 12th and my own parents said it was a kid thing. They may not have been correct, but it reduced the importance of birthdays in my world.



Is this man a man you love? You've always said roommate, but your reactions are more of a spouse. On my curious side, would you mind explaining how you've been with a male roommate for 14 years, and haven't gone to the lesbian side or wanting a lover? I know that's terribly personal, and if you don't want to answer, it's cool. I'm simply stumped by it.

We became friends thru my ex husband, and remained buddies after the ex was history. No sex involved, he jokes about it sometimes but knows not to go there. I guess I think of him more like a cross between a brother and a lost puppy.

I admire many women but have never been attracted to any. I think my days with wanting a physical relationship with a man may be over, I have had several very abusive relationships either physically, mentally, sexually. One of my ex's actually sold me to 3 men for a holiday weekend.. kinda typical of my relationships.

I guess I dont trust myself to pick a good, decent one and I dont trust them to be good and decent. Do I think all men are scum? No, just it seems the ones I get involved with.
My dad always said when you are trying to figure out a reoccurring problem ask yourself what is the commen denominator in the situations? Well I have done that and the best I can tell, I am the common denominator. Not sure I can fix that ya know?

Please dont think I am on a pity pot I guess my rant about the bday thing and all makes it sound like that but I'm not. I think its just I am trying to learn acceptance that this is how its gonna be. I most likely will be alone and die alone. I dont say that in a booohooo kinda way just as a statement.

I cry when I get pi**ed or hurt... and that makes me more pi**ed off and then I cry about that grrrrrr lol....

Thanks for the curiousity and for asking.

 

[Old fart]

I guess I dont trust myself to pick a good, decent one and I dont trust them to be good and decent. Do I think all men are scum? No, just it seems the ones I get involved with.
My dad always said when you are trying to figure out a reoccurring problem ask yourself what is the commen denominator in the situations? Well I have done that and the best I can tell, I am the common denominator. Not sure I can fix that ya know?

Please dont think I am on a pity pot I guess my rant about the bday thing and all makes it sound like that but I'm not. I think its just I am trying to learn acceptance that this is how its gonna be. I most likely will be alone and die alone. I dont say that in a booohooo kinda way just as a statement.

Is there an adult Bible study at your church? Or volunteer opportunities? Either/both would give you an opportunity to meet people that share your religious beliefs in a non-threatening and no-pressure environment. A singles group at your church might be OK, but sometimes there are expectations and stresses you probably don't want.

You might also see if there is free pastoral counseling available where you can safely and privately explore what the past has done to you and (if you decide to do so) help you make better choices, or at least give you the tools to make better choices so you know you can.

And.... let me be so bold as to be the first one to wish you a Happy Birthday for 2016!!! :

This week, set reminders on your cell phone for next year a couple weeks ahead to order flowers with a stuffed animal and balloons, a cake, gift-wrapped gift(s) from Amazon, etc. for yourself. Maybe to make a reservation at a nice restaurant for yourself and tell them it is your birthday (lots of places will sing and bring a special dessert, some places have free birthday meals, and some places you have to sign up for their email/frequent buyer club to get a coupon). Set an event on your cell phone for your birthday with a Happy Birthday message from you to you! And a few ecard birthday cards (one or two funny, one serious, one religious) to you from you to be sent on your birthday next year. If you have pets, send some things to yourself from them, too. If you do these now, bet you forget about at least some of it and get some nice surprises when they come next year. :thumb:

 

[eadavis]

Ugh....dh sick going on 3 wks this week and me 1 1/2 by weeks end. And people did offer if we needed anything from his work. And people just don't get that we don't prep just for a disaster or the hurricane/tornado season. There is also the lengthy illness tgat strikes once in a while. Went out like once for follow up for dh. But I got it too. I wasn't expecting to spend over 100 in visits and meds between us. Then the deductible for the xray at the hospital. On the mend though.

 

[Bronzino]

My ex-bf (we're still friends) texted me tonight that his neighbors got a new German Shepherd puppy. 3 mos old and they are keeping it in a kennel 24/7 on the back porch. The houses are very close proximity, just few paces in between. The puppy barks/howls all night. He said he looked over the fence and sees that it does have a blanket and water, but WTF? Why in God's name would you get an animal and do that? Even though I am not there it ****es me off to no end. He's calling the landlord in the morning. What the f is wrong with people?!?!

 

[TxHannah]

My rant--- I witnessed a child's behavior and listened to that child's great grandmother tell me what she personally witnessed going on with the child yesterday afternoon, half the night, and all day today.

It's a pretty involved, complicated situation, too much to go into here, but I find myself weighing the possibility of calling CPS to do a welfare check on the child. After what I witnessed and what the child's great grand said she witnessed (and as she is related to me, I have known her since I was a teenager and I believe her) I have had my suspicions that something is very wrong confirmed. I am trying to think through this and am weighing pros and cons--at least as much as I am able to.

This is a terrible situation. Not life threatening, at least not that I would think. But other damage is being done that, if left to continue, means a terrible future for this child.

I've spoken to my mother about it, she's a source of great wisdom and experience and she's the first person I go to when I need a sounding board. She knows the situation but not all the details that I know. She says just think and pray about it before deciding.

My heart is in shreds right now. I can't believe I'm thinking about calling CPS but no one is doing anything to help this child. Not the child's mother, nor the child's grandparents or great grandmother. No one.

That's my rant, I suppose. I'm in real fear for this child's well being and future. And everyone else just bitches and complains and points fingers of blame at eachother---but no one is trying to get this child desperately needed help. It's more important for everyone else to blame and scream at eachother over it. Meahwhile the child is miserable and tormented.

I pray that God convicts me one way or the other.

That's my rant for today. Nowhere else to vent it, so I'm venting it here and out into the world.

 

[Bronzino]

If the child's welfare is endanger, then you have an obligation to call CPS. Esp if there is any drug/alcohol/physical abuse. No matter how heart wrenching it is. We can't control who we're related to.

 

[eadavis]

Do they or you go to church. Talk to someone there. Isn't that like a sanctuary you can tske refuge for the child.

 

[CBP]

My rant--- I witnessed a child's behavior and listened to that child's great grandmother tell me what she personally witnessed going on with the child yesterday afternoon, half the night, and all day today.

It's a pretty involved, complicated situation, too much to go into here, but I find myself weighing the possibility of calling CPS to do a welfare check on the child. After what I witnessed and what the child's great grand said she witnessed (and as she is related to me, I have known her since I was a teenager and I believe her) I have had my suspicions that something is very wrong confirmed. I am trying to think through this and am weighing pros and cons--at least as much as I am able to.

This is a terrible situation. Not life threatening, at least not that I would think. But other damage is being done that, if left to continue, means a terrible future for this child.

I've spoken to my mother about it, she's a source of great wisdom and experience and she's the first person I go to when I need a sounding board. She knows the situation but not all the details that I know. She says just think and pray about it before deciding.

My heart is in shreds right now. I can't believe I'm thinking about calling CPS but no one is doing anything to help this child. Not the child's mother, nor the child's grandparents or great grandmother. No one.

That's my rant, I suppose. I'm in real fear for this child's well being and future. And everyone else just bitches and complains and points fingers of blame at eachother---but no one is trying to get this child desperately needed help. It's more important for everyone else to blame and scream at eachother over it. Meahwhile the child is miserable and tormented.

I pray that God convicts me one way or the other.

That's my rant for today. Nowhere else to vent it, so I'm venting it here and out into the world.

I know all of us here shy away from government involvement in family matters. But, honestly if a child is endangered you really have no where else to turn for intervention. You can't legally remove the child yourself, nor get them the professional help they might need. Unless the child is happened upon by a mandatory reporter (doctor, teacher etc) and I wouldn't assume one of them would take control. They should, but may not see the situation in the context where they would be in contact with the child.

Trust your gut and purse it with CPS and monitor it to make sure something is done. If something worse happens, you won't be able to forgive yourself for not doing it. Your right, everyone always says "somebody ought to do something". Sometimes it has to be you getting into someone's dirty laundry.

 

[catlady12]

HBD Jeanie!!

(Folks we could use some better smileys for occasions)

On a worser note. (that a word right now because its PG13)

So we have this "investment" that was sold to us 15 years ago. It was to run about 10 years, its been 15. So I called asking when it would expire, etc etc. If not this year, next. Good.

However, this "investment" apparently was not returning the initial invested amount. That return was through tax credits....investment + interest. IF IF IF there are any profits after the final sales, they divvy up the proceeds.

You could have invested a max of $80k.....Thank heavens we invested the bare minimum. And yes, I've gotten that back in credits.......

but that's not how it was explained. And this is someone we knew (and NO LONGER USE). This could have been really, really ugly.

Glad it wasn't. The lady said worst case scenario is 10 cents on the dollar (but I got tax credits woopee).

I said....Holy Shhhhhhht. Outloud.

So moral to the story.....make sure you know exactly what you are investing in....friend or not.

(As a haha moment, as I was chatting with this lady, I mentioned the 80k cap and SHE SAID...Oh that wouldn't have turned out well at all. )

Gramps has had this epiphany recently. I told him the guy was shady the first time I met him 5 years ago. He is now seeing that I was right.

Hope it all works out for the best.

 

[catlady12]

My rant--- I witnessed a child's behavior and listened to that child's great grandmother tell me what she personally witnessed going on with the child yesterday afternoon, half the night, and all day today.

It's a pretty involved, complicated situation, too much to go into here, but I find myself weighing the possibility of calling CPS to do a welfare check on the child. After what I witnessed and what the child's great grand said she witnessed (and as she is related to me, I have known her since I was a teenager and I believe her) I have had my suspicions that something is very wrong confirmed. I am trying to think through this and am weighing pros and cons--at least as much as I am able to.

This is a terrible situation. Not life threatening, at least not that I would think. But other damage is being done that, if left to continue, means a terrible future for this child.

I've spoken to my mother about it, she's a source of great wisdom and experience and she's the first person I go to when I need a sounding board. She knows the situation but not all the details that I know. She says just think and pray about it before deciding.

My heart is in shreds right now. I can't believe I'm thinking about calling CPS but no one is doing anything to help this child. Not the child's mother, nor the child's grandparents or great grandmother. No one.

That's my rant, I suppose. I'm in real fear for this child's well being and future. And everyone else just bitches and complains and points fingers of blame at eachother---but no one is trying to get this child desperately needed help. It's more important for everyone else to blame and scream at eachother over it. Meahwhile the child is miserable and tormented.

I pray that God convicts me one way or the other.

That's my rant for today. Nowhere else to vent it, so I'm venting it here and out into the world.

I am having a serious case of deja vu! This is almost exactly like it was with the littles, but there were 4 kids involved. Seeing as how the mom is family, we went to her and offered help. She was a teen mom (14) but was never taught how to raise kids. Then she gets married at 19 and pops out 3 more back to back. We took the 2 middle ones because no one else wanted to or could do anything with them but us.

Go to the mom and gauge her reaction. If its not good, call CPS.

 

[TxHannah]

Basically, and I won't divulge too much, the mother is...how should I put this?.... a party girl bimbo who only wants to find a guy to take care of her while meanwhile she has a smart phone attached permanently to her hand. She's 30, oblivious, and for lack of a better word just a stupid, self absorbed little snot, and it's her child who is paying the price. She has been approached by me many, many times in the past with everything from financial help to adopting her child, but refuses anything (except the money, of course, and I stopped trying to help her a long time ago).

School isn't picking up on this obviously because the child has been sent to the principle's office 30+ times this school year. Other details, but that's just one example.

Thank you ladies for your thoughts. I can't exactly go to anyone in the family on that side about this (they're all just frikking idiots) and I've never even thought of calling a governmental agency before. My main concern is that the child is suffering emotionally and mentally and has what I believe are significant psychological issues that are not being addressed. The child is in torment, and it is really bothering me.

Thank you again ladies, I really do appreciate the replies.

 

[CBP]

TxHannah -- are you in Texas by chance? It doesn't look like she's been active on the boards in a few weeks, but Texas Magnolia if I remember does a bit of fostering and might be able to give you a bit of insight privately..off the the public board.

 

[wildartist]

TxHannah, please do something. I wish someone had done something when I was a child...

 

[TxHannah]

That's what breaks my heart, Wildartist. Some day this child saying someone should have helped. I'm sorry no one helped you. God bless you.