What is REALLY Important

I find myself in a strange place. I have spent years collecting things -- mainly dolls, but the odd assortment of other things too. I really do love my things, or I wouldn't have them in the first place. These things that I have -- the are important to me. But I have found myself in a predicament in which I have discovered what is REALLY important.

It isn't the odd assortment of things that I have collected over the years. In fact, when faced with making the decision to have the things that I have carefully collected or to be with someone that I have found myself in love with, I find these things aren't quite as important as I thought they were.When the bottom line is drawn, love wins out.

Becoming free from trappings of living in the same town for almost 20 years, and in the same house for a large part of that time, has become my mission. I look around at these things that took me years to acquire, and I ask this question: "What is more important?" The answer every time is love.

Life, Love, and Other Things

My how life can turn around on a dime. It seems as though loss has been a big issue lately. I have lost two friends recently that are both close in age to me. I lost an uncle. And I lost my Walter dog. It has just been so hard. But those of us left behind keep them alive in our hearts and memories and muscle on.

But wrapped up in all of the sadness is my own little bit of happy also. I have connected with an old friend of my sister -- and have quite unexpectedly found myself in love at the ripe age of 52. I don't really know how I got here, but here I am. It is at times scary and nerve wracking. But mostly, it is wonderful.

I have found a man that I didn't realize existed for real. Those that know me know I have been around the block a few times, so I thought I knew all about men. But I didn't. I didn't know there were men that actually put a woman first. Maybe side by side, but actually first? And everything else just falls from there -- he is loving, kind, wise, generous. All of the things that make a perfect match for me.

I come into this leery and untrusting. Thinking myself unlovable, old, and just worn out. Used up with absolutely no room left to love someone else or give anything to that person. I have tried to cut and run a couple of times, simply because it is so overwhelming at times to have someone care for you so deeply. But I have a great group of friends and a loyal sister who pull me back to reality, make me face my fears, and trust.

I don't understand the whys or hows, but this is surely one of the biggest blessings of my life.

I Miss You Friend

Today I am taking my boys and their friends to a viewing. The deceased is the mom of one of their close friends, and she just happens to be my friend too. I don't know that I am as strong as some people believe, as this is tearing me up.

Laurie was that friend that you could always call. She would listen to anything, no matter how trivial or how big and try to help. That is what I am missing, Yesterday was a difficult day for me. It was supposed to be a fun filled day with another friend, but we ended up taking her son in for a medical evaluation -- and it lasted for hours. I thought about calling Laurie, because I knew she would be understanding. But then I remembered she had passed away. I can never call her again.

So as I sit here thinking about her, I look at the clock. Her husband and children will be getting ready to go to the viewing. One last evening with their family together.

I hope she is somewhere comfortable and at peace -- and walking again. Whole and doing things for herself. I forgot to say that she passed from Multiple Sclerosis. She hated being trapped in her home, in her body. She wasn't negative about it, actually downright gracious of how other people helped her. But she felt she was a burden, and she didn't like it. She didn't like that she couldn't do things for herself.

So in a couple of hours, I will go see her with my troupe of young men. Going to support their friend. And tomorrow I will go back with my son to her funeral and burial for one last goodbye. I sure do miss her -- and the world today is a little bleaker without her presence.

Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles -- You Gotta Try these!

I am a member of BzzAgent -- I know you all have heard me talk about them before and the word of mouth campaigns that I get involed in.  My last one was the soap one -- which, by the way, I love and still use!  My latest campaign has been trying out a pair of  Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles.

Right off the bat I have to say that I love these and gave them the highest rating possible at BzzAgent. And I plan to purchase them for all of the shoes that I wear frequently.  I am being totally honest here -- they are that good.  I captured a link to the Dr. Scholl's page for them -click here- you should definitely check it out to learn all about the support and massaging comfort these insoles provide.  Also, there is a link on the page to a coupon. If you are are local to me (St. Louis), I also have a couple of coupons left from my BzzAgent kit that I can give you.  Here is the down and dirty on my expereince with Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles.

Getting them ready for my shoes was super eaasy.  Trimming had to be done, but it was a snap, and the insoles went right into my shoes.  I have had problems in the past with insoles getting all scrunched up at the toe, but I didn't have that problem with these.  I think because they are gel insoles and thicker and more stable than most.

The first day I used them was a crazy busy day for me.  I wore them on a day that I had lots of errends to run plus a huge estate sale to go to. The first thing I noticed is that once I was wearing them -- or really didn't notice -- is that I totally forgot about them.  I was so busy -- but my feet didn't hurt like they usually do on a busy day either.  When my day was all  through and I was home again, then I remembered that I had been test driving a pair of Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles!  It was really amazing -- the difference that I felt. No feet fatigue or even lower leg problems. The difference between pre-insole and post-insole use was very noticeable.

And now -- after several weeks of using the insoles -- I still love them!  My cute pink high tops are one of my favorite pair of shoes to wear thanks to the confort of the insoles.  I totally give this product a five star rating!

As always, if you are interested in learning more about BzzAgent, yyou can ask me or check out their website here.

What's all the Bzz about Touch of Foam Hand Soap?

If you follow me at all, you know that one of the fun things that I do is participate in BzzAgent product testing word of mouth campaigns.  (Check out their web site  here.)  I am in the middle of another product test.  This time it is Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Hand Soap. (Check out the Lysol website here.)   I was so excited to get the new kit in the mail yesterday. 

 

You all probably know that the boys get excited too, as there have been some oh so cool products to test before.  They were a little let down with the product being soap, but ever the troopers, they agreed to a product test.  Fortunately, I already had the Toys R Us version of foaming hand soap, so it was super easy to set up a side by side comparison.  (In fact, it worked so well, that I think I am going to continue doing the side by side when visitors come over.)

At any rate, here is what we found out in our side by side comparison:

Positives

1. More soap per squirt or pump. The other brand requires two squirts for the same amount of soap.
2. Great consistency of soap, not at all runny like some other foaming hand soaps we have tried.
3. Didn't dry out hands.
4. Hands felt clean after one washing. (even with greasy I have been doing the dishes hands.)
5. Washed off hands easily.
6. Bottle size is not so small that you are going to be running out to get more soap in a hot minute.

Negatives

1. The smell is too strong and too girly.
2. Smell lingers for too long after washing hands.
3. The fragrance for our Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Hand Soap was creamy vanilla orchid, but none of us could detect anything remotely vanilla smelling.  

Conclusion

Overall, we really like this soap. It isn't as messy as some soaps are, which is a plus for me. We can live with the fragrance as all of the other positives really out weigh the fragrance. AND it does come in other fragrances.

Snow Day in Spring

Monday was supposed to be back to school for my boys as the first day after their Spring Break.  But -- they had a snow day instead!  The St. Louis area had the worst thunder snow since since 1983.  Usually, I am a fan of the snow, but I am a bit under the weather this time.  I heard, though, from some others that it was a great snow for snow balls and snow man building.  It was quite beautiful.  Just google St. Louis Spring Snow to get some great images.

Unfortunately for some people, the unexpected weather was a big buzz kill.  They had come long distances for the Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis only to get socked in by the weather.  My favorite of the show, Jason David Frank, posted on his facebook account that his flight out of St. Louis was cancelled so he was driving to Little Rock, Arkansas to catch a flight back to California.  There were many, many cancelled flights, as well as many disappointed out of towners who intended to got to Comic Con, but couldn't make it because of inclement weather.

I spent the majority of Sunday nursing the flare that I knew would result from all of the activity the previous day.  Monday was a light day also, as it takes several days for a flare to die down.  It is tolerable, though -- and for that I am very thankful.  I always keep in the corner of my mind that things could always be just so much worse.

St. Louis Comic Con, part 1

I am dog tired!  The ComicCon was a blast!  There is an after party that I wanted to attend, but am just too tired and sore  to go.  The big thrill of the day by far was getting to meet Jason David Frank!  He is such a nice guy.  I'll post more later about him.  In the mean time, check out his facebook page here.  He said today that he really does read it and post.

There were so many celebs there.  I was amazed.  First thing we see as we enter t he building is Stan Lee!  I just knew that the day was going to be a good one!  Did you know that he is 90?  Amazing!  He looks 25 years younger, and how he has the energy he does -- well, I just don't know. Check out his web site here.

Talked to James Hong.  He was heading out for the day, but he was super nice.  I remember him from the original Hawaii 5-0 tv series.  Man, that dates me, doesn't it!  he is in amazing shape and has tons of energy. Check out his filmography here.

Saw lots of other celebs: Henry Winkler, Lou Ferrigno, John Shea, Tom Felton, just to name a few,  -- and so many artists that I can;t even begin to remember names.

Costumes were awesome.  Saw so many great ones.  I tried to remember to take pictures!  Check out the link to my facebook ComicCon photo album here.

I will post more later about this awesome event.  However, I am just so tired right now -- I am headed off to bed!

Selflessness vs. Selfishness

My soon to be graduating from high school son really doesn't want to participate in his graduation ceremony.  He can't say why -- just that he doesn't want to.  I, on the other hand, remember every struggle that we have been through to get him to this point, and is is hugely important to me for him to participate in this right of passage.

I get that he doesn't want to participate, although I don't understand why.  In my head, I can run through probably a hundred reasons that my son can give that has kept him from participating in a lot of school functions.  I know these play a part in it.  But to me, we have worked so hard to get to this point, and it is the one thing that he can do that, for me, completes this part of the cycle.  Selfish of me, I know.

Lest you think that the selflessness part of the title is on me also, let me quickly put you on the right track.  This boy, no - not boy any longer, but a young man, who had said at least a hundred times that he won't participate, that he can't participate, that he doesn't want to participate in the graduation ceremony, put aside all of his reasons and in a great moment of pure selflessness, said quietly to me today, "I didn't know it meant so much to you.  Mom, I'll do it."

Dictionary.com defines selflessness as "having little or no concern for oneself."    That is what my son is doing -- putting aside his concern for himself in order to do this one thing for his mom.  I couldn't be more proud.

Check out my new look for eBay!

Decided to make some changes to my eBay listings by making them look a bit more professional.  Here is a link to the one item that I used an embedded footer in.  new look  Tell me what you think!

Spring

Spring has arrived.  Usually this is met with peeps of color as the "Easter" season flowers begin to show their colorful heads.  Not so this year.  The tv weather guy said that it is going to be cold with a possibility of snow here in St. Louis.  And further south -- like where my dad lives -- 3-5 inches are possible.  So instead of the welcoming peeps of color, we have gray skies and possible snow.

Normally, I love winter, and am sad to see it gone. However, this winter, I just can't seem to stay warm.  For those who know me, this edges on being considered a miracle.  I have always been hot -- even in the winter, I have been known to wear sleeveless tops and loose skirts.  Somewhere someone is playing a weird joke on me.

So I am glad winter has been shown the door -- now if the weather would just cooperate!

A Quickie

No, it so isn't the quickie you are thinking of!  Just a quick note.  I am dog tired.  eBay has a deal where for the last 3 days, you could post up to 500 listings for free in addition to the monthly allotment of 50.  Always the bargain hunter here, I dislike paying for eBay postings. (I figure they get enough of my money!) But being the procrastinator that I am, I waited until this afternoon to start.  I took pictures and created listings for a total of 7 hours today.  My body is aching, so I know it is time to stop and head off to bed.  Love the eBay deals, but don't want to end up in a fibro flare tomorrow.  As always, if you are interested in checking out my Ebay sales, here is a link.

Did they say SPRING break or WINTER Break?

Three days ago, the weather was perfect.  Sunshine all around, blue skies, everyone getting their share of Vitamin D -- and all was right with the world, at least in my little part of it. Skip to yesterday -- snow in the morning, gray skies, rainy all afternoon.  And to top it off, it was cold, cold outside.

My boys are on Spring Break, but it seems more like a winter break to me.St. Louis pays homage to St. Patrick with Parades and multiple festivities.  I didn't feel very festive though as I lay huddled under a blanket with a space heater on.

The only real spring like thing around seems to be the birds.  The robins are out in full force, even if they are a bit puffed up as they ruffle  their feathers in an attempt to stay warm. There were literally hundreds of birds -- although I have to confess I don't know what they were -- outside this morning.  I heard them before I saw them.  I was coming back from picking up my son, when I opened my car door to the chatter of birds that was so intense you couldn't hardly hear yourself talk. I stepped out of the car and began to look around.  When I  turned around, the neighborhood trees and power lines were full of them.  I am guessing that my little corner of the world is in their migration path.  It was made even more awesome, because when my son shut his car door after getting out this morning, about 1/2 of those birds whooshed up in the air creating an amazing spectacle of birds almost blacking out the sky as they lifted off. It really was something like you would see on television.  My head is still swimming with the sight of all of those birds taking flight.

Spring Break and Wizard World Comic Con

YAY!  I purchased tickets for me and the boys to attend next Saturday's St. Louis Wizard World Comic Con 2013!  It is a 3 day event, but we don't have the money to attend all three days.  But we are super duper excited about the one day that we do get to attend!  Here is a link: Comic Con

I am sure you will hear more an more about it as it gets closer -- and then after we attend!  I am bringing my camera, of course.  There are some HUGE stars attending this event -- Stan Lee is one of my favs.  But the biggest draw for my family is Jason David Frank, or as he used to be known Tommy Oliver on the Power Rangers!

Also -- today was the last day of school before Spring Break!  I think going to our first ever Comic Con is a fitting event for my son's senior Spring Break!  He is spending the night at a friend's house.  My other son is enjoying being the only child at home tonight.  Tomorrow, while they all sleep in, I am babysitting for a friend so her boys can enjoy their first day of Spring Break 2013 by sleeping in also -- instead of going to day care.  I love them as if they were my own family -- and the only live a few blocks away.  It is all very good!

Random Musings

I have neglected this blog.  I don't really have a reason, other than it just hasn't been my priority.  Sad, because I do so enjoy it.  SO I am going to try to do better.

So much going on.  A new Pope as of today.  My oldest child is a senior in high school.  My step-daughter had a baby in February - and I still haven't seen him!  So many world events come and gone, and time just keeps tripping along.  It reminds me of the soap opera that used to begin something like -- like the grains of sand in the hour glass ...  Time just slips away if you let it.

So what have I been doing?  Well, I have a little side business going.  eBay baby!  I have found a way to play with the toys I love -- Barbies, Topper Dawn Dolls, LIV dolls, baby dolls, an a wide assortment of other kid toys -- and then turn them for a profit.  I have been doing it for close to a year now -- and I am in the groove.  I make enough money to have some of the things that we love, but other wise couldn't afford -- like cell phones (no, none of us have smart phones) and Direct TV.  Certainly not getting rich, but it does keep me busy, and often entertained as well.  I am learning things about what sells and what doesn't.  How to display my items -- and I have learned about toys in general.  I am a regular at several area thrift stores, and I seldom pass a toy store that I don't go in to check for great clearance items that I can turn a profit on, or just to do research.

You can't imagine how time consuming it can be to find the name of that certain toy you found that looks so fun, but you have no earthly idea what it is!  You can often kind me skulking yup and down the aisles of Toys R Us trying to figure out the name of something so I can best resale it!  I have even been known to snap a photo or two of sets of Barbie items when I have most of the pieces, but not so sure about what goes with what!

I am also scrap booking often.  I have found that my multiple health problems have affected my memory and my concentration.  I can't read like I used to -- I find it too frustrating.  I have never been a big TV girl, so that is kind of out too.  I don't have the stamina that I used to have -- and even when I do, pain flares often prevent me from doing things that I enjoyed in the past -- like taking really long walks.  So now I have shelves of scrap books!  Since I routinely hit thrift stores, big sales, estate sales -- and yard sales when they are in season -- I have been able to scrap for less!  I have enjoyed this hobby for several years now -- about 15 -- and have learned to do it on a dime.

Another benefit of the eBay thing is that my family enjoys larger wardrobes than they have ever had!  I have become superwoman of clothes buying.  Buying for me is super easy, because I wear a common size.  Buying clothes for the boys is a bit more challenging because they are tall -- very tall, and kind of picky about what they wear.  But I still manage to routinely find them things that are like new and sometimes brand new for often just a few cents, and never more than a couple of dollars.  My favorite place to shop for clothes is a local thrift store that has weekly sales in order  to clear out old merchandise.  So once a week, the old stuff gets marked .25 cents each or 5 for $1.00!  I gotta tell you, not only do I sometimes find great clothes, but I get a lot of things for eBay that way -- as well as some coll things for the house and, well, for us too.  Like the working atomic clock I snagged for .20 cents or the cool yellow plates that I paid .20 cents each for.  Oh -- and the Barbie that I also paid .20 cents for and just sold for right around $15.

So now, you know my secrets.  I am a sale-aholic.  I don't think I am ready for a 12 step program yet, but there are sometimes when I look around my basement and realize that I need to spend a bit more time selling the things rather than accumulating!

One final thing -- here is a link to what I currently have for sale on eBay.  It is ever-changing!  Melinda's eBay link

My latest hobby

Yes, I know I said I was going to post more often, and, yes, I know I haven't.  I am just coming down off a major flare; long story short, I have been kinda out of commission for a while.

At any rate, my latest hobby: Dawn dolls!  I had them as a child in the early 70s. Man, were they awesome.  You know, those 6 1/2" fashion dolls manufactured by the now defunct Topper Company?

I found that they can be had on the cheap if you look carefully and pick and choose.  Today, I received the lovely Longlocks in the mail.  She is the doll that I have wanted to most.  She was my favorite as a child.  That brings my doll total to 11 - 12 if you count my headless body also!

Fort those of you that don't know of the wonderful world of Dawn, here is a link to a great introductory article.  For those of you who are, well, it will be a stroll down memory lane.

Click here for the link.

Autism and The Puzzling Piece

As many of you know, my son is on the autism spectrum.  I have been asked to share this link by Melissa Winter, President of The Puzzling Piece.  Please check it out.  Click here

Not many hits on this one, so I am reposting.

Monday, May 14, 2012

So hoping that everyone had a nice mother's day.  I did, although I do miss my own mother so terribly much, as well as my dear Aunt Norma, who acted as my mother after my own passed.  In that respect, the day was hollow.  I chose to stay busy and focus on my own family.

Speaking of family, I am going to be a  grandma.  Such a nice feeling.  Doesn't make me feel old though, and I thought it would.  Just makes me remember my own children as babies.

Turning the page to other thoughts, life sure gets complicated sometimes. The issue of sexual abuse has been on the forefront of my mind lately.  While I know how I have dealt with it, it is quite another matter when it is someone you love -- and they are going through recovery.  Sometimes you just want to climb into bed with them and pull the covers up over your heads -- but that can't be.  Live for today; work through the past, but don't stay there for all we have is the here and now.  It took me a long time to figure that out, but now I see the reasons that I had to go through all of that mess.  So I can be here -- in the present -- to help someone I love so dearly navigate that same dark path.  There is always another door to open, but the hallway is hell.

Join me!

Just a quickie this time.  Check me out at Linkedin by clicking on the hyperlink.  Newer to it, and I am looking for like minded groups.

Also, have been quite interested in the teachings of Ram Dass.  Tell me what you think about him.  Check him out here.

Be Here Now!

More pop culture and some shout outs

It always seems that so much is happening, and I never get here often enough to talk about it.

I mourn the passing of Dick Clark. He passed away on April 18, 2012 after a massive heart attack.  He was such an icon to me.  I remember every Saturday watching American Bandstand.  I remember seeing many of my favorite performers on his show, as well as making certain that my groovy dance steps were hip on his show as well.  I was also introduced to performers on his show -- ones that I have followed for a life time -- most namely Barry Manilow.  And I mourned along with the kids on American Bandstand when we would lose a performer much too soon, like Andy Gibb.  Great memories wrapped up in that show.

I am a child of the seventies -- graduating high school in 1981.  Dick Clark was everywhere.  Not only American Bandstand and his own production company, but it seemed as though he was forever the host of a game show or two -- as well as the unforgettable Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve every December 31 (which also happens to be one of my sisters' birthdays).  How fun was it to stay up late to watch that shiny ball drop in Times Square?

Like so may things from my youth, things seems to slip away almost without notice sometimes.

Speaking of slipping away, my other sister's birthday is today!  Happy birthday sis!  My boys and I called her during the drive to school to sing happy birthday to her.  It was a great morning. That is because loving yourself and others is a great way to live.

Finally, just a bit about home.  We have a new dog.  Nine year old Sam the Pomeranian is lovable and generally sweet tempered; he is a rescue with epilepsy and a thyroid condition.  Daily medication keeps his medical conditions under control.  Everyone falls in love with him -- and he just eats it up. He was bounced around a bit before landing in the Bradley house, but we plan on keeping him.  Welcome to your forever home Sam!

Read more about Dick Clark by clicking here or here.

Read more about Barry Manilow by clicking here.

Read more about American Bandstand by clicking here.

Read more about loving yourself here -- there is a great book by Iyanla Vanzant.  I think everyone should read it.

Read more about Animal Rescue by clicking here.

RIP Mike Wallace

I am saddened by the death of Mike Wallace.  He was a tiger in journalism -- know for stealing stories from his co-workers and being unafraid to ask the tough questions.  While I don't ascribe to his journalist style, it in no way takes away from his greatness.  Mr. Wallace also battled depression; at one point even considering suicide.  In his later years, he was quite open about his mental illness.  Probably best known to my generation for his 38 years on the tv news magazine 60 Minutes, Mr. Wallace was 93 years old.