No, not riding horses - although I'd like to!
I'm getting back to my ebay business. I've found a new way to create my listings that works better with my crazy day-job schedule, and my kids' needs too.
On the weekend - usually Sunday afternoon - I take pictures.
When I have 30 free minutes at lunch time during the week, I create a basic listing for an item or two. The pictures and initial descriptions are wrong...but at least the listing is up!
That night, I spend another 30 minutes once the kids are in bed making changes to my new listings - changing the picture links, adding measurements, and so on.
It's slow, granted...but 2 or 4 listings a week is better than nothing!
Of course, this works because right now I have a backlog of inventory that needs listed - both consignment items from family, as well as my own purchases. Once that inventory runs out, I'll have to find time to shop again. But I'm not going to worry about that right now!
And don't even ask me about my jewelry making...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Support the Diplomats too!
In case you haven't heard - we're at war in Afghanistan.
And while the troops there definitely deserve our support - they get shot at, after all - most people tend to forget that we have diplomats in danger too.
Diplomats like my brother - working somewhere in Helmand province, trying to settle our problems peacefully, trying to help the Afghan people create better lives for themselves so they aren't so easily tempted by the Taliban to do bad things.
Those diplomats live in the same conditions as our troops - they share shipping containers and tents, eat bad MREs, wear body armor, get shot at. Their families deal with the same stress, with occasional contact (email, skype) broken by long and scary stretches of nothing. They are there to make our lives better, because they volunteered. And they get paid government wages - meaning not that much considering the mortal danger they face.
What they don't get is public support. Where's the bumper stickers? The campaign rhetoric, the photo ops with public figures? Nowhere. Diplomats serve - and sometimes are injured or die - under the radar.
So next time you hear or read about Afghanistan or Iraq - take a moment and think about the civilians serving too. Support your local diplomat!
And while the troops there definitely deserve our support - they get shot at, after all - most people tend to forget that we have diplomats in danger too.
Diplomats like my brother - working somewhere in Helmand province, trying to settle our problems peacefully, trying to help the Afghan people create better lives for themselves so they aren't so easily tempted by the Taliban to do bad things.
Those diplomats live in the same conditions as our troops - they share shipping containers and tents, eat bad MREs, wear body armor, get shot at. Their families deal with the same stress, with occasional contact (email, skype) broken by long and scary stretches of nothing. They are there to make our lives better, because they volunteered. And they get paid government wages - meaning not that much considering the mortal danger they face.
What they don't get is public support. Where's the bumper stickers? The campaign rhetoric, the photo ops with public figures? Nowhere. Diplomats serve - and sometimes are injured or die - under the radar.
So next time you hear or read about Afghanistan or Iraq - take a moment and think about the civilians serving too. Support your local diplomat!
Monday, January 25, 2010
I know I said I wouldn't
Yet again, I find myself staring down a diet.
Or at least, I want to. I probably need to.
Ugh. Don't you just hate the word "diet"? Conjures thoughts of deprivation, hunger, grumpiness. I don't want to deal with it! And yet...
And yet...
All of the "just eat less" and "just exercise" non-advice out there doesn't help either. If it was "just" that easy, I wouldn't struggle - and neither would the millions of other people!
This time, I have friends trying too - we're all in this to support each other. Will it be successful? I don't know. I hope so...and yet, when it comes down to dinner time (or dessert time, or whatever time), ultimately it's just me and the food.
Or at least, I want to. I probably need to.
Ugh. Don't you just hate the word "diet"? Conjures thoughts of deprivation, hunger, grumpiness. I don't want to deal with it! And yet...
And yet...
All of the "just eat less" and "just exercise" non-advice out there doesn't help either. If it was "just" that easy, I wouldn't struggle - and neither would the millions of other people!
This time, I have friends trying too - we're all in this to support each other. Will it be successful? I don't know. I hope so...and yet, when it comes down to dinner time (or dessert time, or whatever time), ultimately it's just me and the food.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Now what
I had this plan for the new year.
On the nights when hubby worked late, I would list items on eBay after the kids went to bed.
On the weekends while kids were at soccer/basketball/ballet practice, I would take pictures and maybe shop a little.
We'd keep paying off bills and socking away funds for a trip to Europe in 2011.
Then, hubby decided to quit his job. I can't fault him for the reasons - if you were the general dogsbody of your company, despite being a top salesperson, you'd quit too. Still, with the economy in the toilet, it's hard to see him finding another position with flexible hours at part-time, yet still making decent money.
So the extra money is gone. *poof* The extra time to sell on eBay - without guilt over using "us" time in the evenings...also *poof*. And while I know that our situation is nowhere near as dire as many people lately - it's hard not to be discouraged, even unhappy.
On the nights when hubby worked late, I would list items on eBay after the kids went to bed.
On the weekends while kids were at soccer/basketball/ballet practice, I would take pictures and maybe shop a little.
We'd keep paying off bills and socking away funds for a trip to Europe in 2011.
Then, hubby decided to quit his job. I can't fault him for the reasons - if you were the general dogsbody of your company, despite being a top salesperson, you'd quit too. Still, with the economy in the toilet, it's hard to see him finding another position with flexible hours at part-time, yet still making decent money.
So the extra money is gone. *poof* The extra time to sell on eBay - without guilt over using "us" time in the evenings...also *poof*. And while I know that our situation is nowhere near as dire as many people lately - it's hard not to be discouraged, even unhappy.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Year 2010
Wow, this year sure slid by fast. Things have been so crazy between work and home that I haven't had much to say here - or really, I've had plenty to say, just no time to say it in. So, for the New Year...I resolve to make more time for myself, to eBay and Etsy and blog more!
And if this post is a bit brief...well, at least it's a start. Now, off to catch up on a few favorite blogs that I've neglected too much lately.
And if this post is a bit brief...well, at least it's a start. Now, off to catch up on a few favorite blogs that I've neglected too much lately.
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