Last Post of 2013

2013 has been pretty great to our family. Both Ellie and Nick are doing great in school. Ellie got involved in sports this year and loved volleyball and basketball. She had her poem chosen to advance to the next level of competition and hopefully will end up at the state level. I love hearing the music floating down the stairs from her room. She is learning to play the keyboard and is also creating new songs and music. Nick has blossomed with help from the speech therapist at school. So many people have mentioned that he has come out of his shell but I think it is just that you can hear him now that he has slowed his speech down. He has spent the past few days videotaping on his ipod. He has taped his train layouts, lego sets, holiday lights...he is very excited about it. Rob is thriving at work. He was humbled by comments made to him at holiday parties. I have had a couple great doctor visits this year, all ending with no evidence of disease and get busy living. It has been an awesome 4th quarter on ebay. I have coined the title Resale Concierge, it sounds better than telling people I flip on ebay. Very cool sale yesterday, I had a Lillehammer winter Olympics tie and it sold to one of the USA coaches...I will be watching for him to wear it. 

Friday we started off the morning baking again. Ellie was thrilled to use her cupcake maker again. She made carrot cake muffins with cream cheese frosting. We took some with us when we went to visit Eric and Pam. We had a wonderful visit with them. I wish we could see them more often than we do. We did a bit of thrifting on our way up to the Cuneo Light show. I found a huge lot of art supplies at the one store. Taking it apart - I think I should be able to recoup my cost just on the stamp pads alone. I have scrapbooking pens, calligraphy sets, rulers and other tools, pencil lead, paper. We had dinner at Portillos and then waited in a slow moving line for the light show. It was a bunch of fun, like it always is. The kids looked for the snowmen and counted them. They changed things up this year and it seemed even better. 

Saturday morning Mom and Dad took Ellie and Nick out shopping for the day. Rob and I took advantage and went out for lunch. We headed north and did a bit of thrifting...for ourselves. I found some great sheet sets for the cottage.We were able to get a couple things at Hobo, too. I couldn't resist running into Salvation on the way home and was soooo glad I did. I found a couple more of the scrapbook items and 2 Hermes neckties. Mom and Dad came in and stayed for dinner when they dropped off the kids. We had appetizers and salad and fruit. We worked on the puzzle but this puzzle was sort of ridiculous with the piece shapes. We still had about 100 pieces to go when they left. I finished it up around 12:15 this morning. After Rob went up last night, I went to refill my water and found my foot stepped into wetness. I thought it was just a spill from the sink but learned the entire cabinet under the sink was wet. I dragged out all the containers and bottles and wiped it dry. I tried to investigate where it was coming from but couldn't. 

Rob and I began our morning researching faucets. Ellie agreed to watch Nick so Rob and I could run out and try to find one we liked. We originally were going to replace the faucet and the sink itself because it has quite a few dents but we soon found out black sinks are what is stocked now and white is custom order. We ended up just getting a new faucet. We came home and the kids were making bouncy balls with a craft kit Nick got for Christmas. Rob put in the new faucet - looks great. We started a new puzzle - equally as challenging because it is shaped like a train, with all the bells and whistles. Rob stayed home to watch the Bears game when we went to Mom and Dad's for dinner. Mom made an enchilada casserole that was good. She also roasted baby potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. We had cookies for dessert. Dad played trains with Nick while Mom and Ellie made some spa bath salts. 

Hoping to make 2014 even better than this year has been. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Day Late, I know

Hoping everyone day a fabulous Christmas with family and friends. We started a new puzzle yesterday and I was working on it last night and forgot to post.
On Monday morning Ellie and I baked a couple more batches of cookies. We ran out for some last minute stocking stuffers and food for Christmas day. The kids played very nicely together. In the early evening Dad picked us up for the CTA holiday train. It was bitterly cold, about zero out. The station was crowded and we soon found out there was only one train on the track. We decided to brave the elements since everyone was waiting inside. We had about a 5 minute wait outside but that was fine because we were the first ones to board and we were able to get 4 seats together. The train has never been so packed. Standing room only and Santa didn't even have room to walk around. We made it to Howard and years of experience has taught us how quickly we need to move to get up and over to re-board. We got 4 seats together for the return ride but it was equally as crowded. We got to see Santa from afar. We had a treat from Starbucks to warm up before going home.
On Christmas Eve we just kinds hung out. We really needed to go nowhere so we stayed in our pajamas. We delivered cookies to our neighbors. We went to church in the early evening, it was refreshing to have the new reverend do the service and change it up a bit. We picked the GGs up on the way to Mom and Dad's for Christmas Eve dinner. Mom had a lovely meal - kievs (vegan and non), broccoli, corn pudding, salad, fruit, sweet potatoes, salmon...probably forgetting something, it went on and on. Dessert was equally as spread - mini cannoli, eclairs, cookies, bundt cakes, chocolates, and ice cream. We left cookie and wine out for Santa and the kids got to bed.
Christmas morning was nice and laid back. We decided to get Ellie and Nick each one big gift this year. Ellie got a keyboard and Nick got an ipod touch. They each got an outfit to keep them warm. While they waited for Mom and Dad to come over they played with some gifts from others. Mom and Dad came for breakfast. We had eggs, tofu scramble, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and potato hash browns. Mom and I started a 1,000 piece Christmas puzzle and Dad and Nick started building some Lego set. Ellie was busy working on crafts. In the afternoon we went up to Dean and Lauren's house. We had a make shift dinner and the kids played together really well. It was great to be able to sit back and relax and watch the snow fall. We came home and I worked on the puzzle some more. Ellie played with her new speed stacker game and Nick and Rob worked on Legos.
This morning we were laid back and slow. Ellie joined me on a trip to Target to exchange Nick's ipod...the 16gb one doesn't come with a double camera and can only take 'selfie' pictures. We did a quick walk through the store and stocked up on tape and tissue paper.
Mom and Dad picked up Uncle Joe from the hospital on Christmas Eve, thanks for all your positive thoughts. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Merry Christmas

I will just title this with a Christmas greeting since I won't post again until Christmas night. The last couple days have mostly flown by. I did a bit of shopping each day, a bit of listing, too. It has been nice to have a couple things leaving in the mail each day.
Friday morning we all hurried and got dressed and ready early so we could go to the Holiday Sing at school. Ellie has always wanted to go but with Nick being a slow poke in the morning, it has never happened. We did it this year and it really put me into the holiday spirit. It was in the gym and the music teachers had a piano and guitar and we had a sing a long. I left and went grocery shopping for Nick's party. I came home and wrapped the kids presents for Christmas...last chance without them watching me. Nick's party went great. We made snowman sundaes and they decorated gingerbread houses to take home.
Yesterday was our baking day. Ellie and I worked in the kitchen and we knocked out 6 types of cookies, totaling about 22 dozen cookies. Ellie tried out her new cupcake maker and made cupcakes for our neighbors. I ran out with Nick to pick out his present for Ellie...talk about last minute. I ran out with Ellie later to pick up some stocking stuffers and Despicable Me 2 for movie night. We had appetizers for dinner and all cuddled up together to watch the movie.
Today was surprisingly productive. We totally cleaned and organized the basement. It started with Rob and me re-arranging how/where we store our holiday storage boxes but morphed into a whole basement clean up and organizing mission. It look great and we were done by noon. We just kinds hung out until we went over to Mom and Dad's for dinner. We picked up El Famous and had a lot of laughs.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Time Flies

Exciting night here at our house. Nick went up to take a shower because he was sweaty and cold from playing out in the snow. I hear the toilet flush, running, and then echoes of Mom, Mama, Mommy, Quick! I run up the stairs to find the toilet within centimeters of overflowing. I got a cup and started dumping water into the sink. Mom and Dad had just walked into the door for dinner. Dad tried to help but we just couldn't get the toilet to un-clog. We washed up and had dinner. While the kids and Mom were watching Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Dad and I tried to work on it again. I looked up 'unclog toilet' on Pinterest and it was suggested to put a cup of Dawn dish washing liquid into the toilet and let it sit and then follow with hot water...didn't do anything at the time. I got the kids to bed and decided to leave it until the morning. Rob came home about 15 minutes after and decided to give it a try. He decided to flush it and water flowed over the rim and was bubbling up from the floor. Many towels and rags later and a trip out to the garage to get the industrial auger...the toilet finally went down. I did another round of Dawn and hot water and it bubbled and went down further.
Monday morning I started the day at Avenues. They are closing for a month to remodel their store and everything in the store was marked down to a quarter. Mobs of people were there and it was almost impossible to move. I grabbed a few things and got out of there. I went to Whole Foods and picked up wine for Rob to take to work as gifts. I was already at Peterson so I ran to Unique. I found the rest of the cross stitch and needlepoint kids and a couple other things. I picked up lunch and went over to Mom and Dad's. Mom and I went grocery shopping afterwards.
Tuesday morning I volunteered at school. Had a fun time hearing the kids stories develop. I came home and did some listing. I got most of my kits up and listed. The kids came home from school and wanted to play outside in the snow. They started making an igloo. They are using a 5 gallon bucket as their brick mold. They have the first layer set.
Uncle Joe is doing better, keep up the positive energy. Also, keep your fingers crossed for a successful real estate closing tomorrow...Grandma Chocolate's house will be gone. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Great Weekend

I have heard the echoing ca-ching all weekend...and I love it. Thursday I went to try to do some shopping. I went out to the Northbrook Goodwill. I ended up with some stuff that I thought I could use for stocking stuffers and a couple sweaters to flip. I stopped in at Savers but only found some Leappad games. I came home and did some research...I was delighted to see my $5.00 sweaters were selling for $100 or more. I was also thrilled that the lego set that I bought ended up being new. The box wasn't in great shape but I saw that the used sets were bringing in $50-$60. I listed it as used but said the packages were all sealed...sold for $90.00! Ellie had her last basketball game. They haven't had a game in over 3 weeks and I think it showed. Mom and Dad met Nick and me at the game. They ended up losing, pretty badly, 15-1. We quickly shuffled out of the game and raced back to East Prairie, it was Nick's concert. The gym was packed, standing room only. Nick did great, smiled a nice big smile and sang beautifully. Mom and Dad treated the kids to a book from the book fair.
Friday I did some more shopping, it is addicting. I walked into Unique and found a Charlie Brown singing gemmy and a Byers Choice caroler. I went through the store but didn't really come up with anything else. I decided to hit the Unique in the city and I am thrilled I did. I hit the mother load of art kits. I bought 15 kits for less than $1.00 a piece and have them listed between $10-$40 each. Rob had to work Friday night. Nick had his appointment with Dr. Gallai right after school. He was very brave and sat incredibly still while he had a pulpotomy and filling done. I was so happy we were able to get moved into the earlier appointment, Nick was crying in pain pretty regularly. We went to Mt. Prospect afterwards. We saw the light show at Randhurst and had dinner at Mariano's.
Saturday we stayed in our pajamas. The kids made chocolate cupcake from scratch and decorated them. I ran to Salvation in the afternoon. I picked up some more craft kits and a couple shirts. I found a bag with about 24 game cartridges and the game system. Nick gets to play with them until I get them up and listed. We went to Mom and Dad's for dinner while Rob was at the game. The kids were excited to play with the train layout. Their cupcakes were delicious. We came home and got ready for Sue and Terri's Christmas party. We all had a great time. There were other kids for Ellie and Nick to play with, so we were able to socialize. They had games and had presents for the kids. We didn't leave until past 10.
Today we all slept in. I was busy packing up a bunch of eBay purchase...a very odd mix. 3 different Lego sets, 2 coats, 5 shirts, a snowsuit, a infomercial hair trimmer, and a set of rolodex cards.I was able to combine some of my boxes, which is awesome because that means things are moving out of here. Rob and Nick worked on building a Lego set. Ellie worked on elegantly packaging and wrapping her teacher gifts for this week. Ellie, Nick, and Rob did brave the cold for a little bit to play in the snow but it was so cold. We went to the church Tableaux service. It was a nice service. We got there early enough to snag front row seats so the kids could really see everything. We went to Cici's for dinner, the kids request.
Needing some positive thoughts and energy for Uncle Joe. He is in the ICU at the hospital. They aren't exactly sure what all is happening with him right now. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

Freezing in Here

It isn't even Winter yet and it is pretty darn cold. I am sort of lacking motivation to list on ebay right now. I think it is because it is December and I have little faith in people buying used thing...and then paying for them. My used Cookie Monster set still has a couple days and is sitting at $108.50. Today was a great sale day considering I only have a couple auctions going. I sold 2 snowsuits, all my ink cartridges, a pair of jeans and 2 shirts. I received an email this afternoon that I have free auction listings through Christmas.
The bus was so, so late on Monday morning. I drove the kids to school and got home before the bus even started the route. I went grocery shopping on Monday. I went out to Meijer since I haven't been there in ages. I was able to get Ellie and Nick their favorite yogurts (each has their own favorite brand). I got all our beds changes out to clean, warm, flannel sheets. I put away about 10 loads of laundry and then created about 10 more.
I volunteered at school yesterday and got to hear some of the kids stories they are working on. I spent most of the day yesterday online on Costco's website trying to upload pictures and create our Christmas card. I think everyone else must have had the same idea because it was painstakingly slow. It took about an hour just to finalize and submit the order. I was so glad I wimped out and decided to take the car down to pick Nick up from the bus. The bus apparently broke down and they sent a second one but it didn't do the two routes and took all the kids on the late route. I sat in the car for about 45 minutes waiting for Nick.
I was going to go thrifting today but I woke up to snow and cold and decided it wasn't worth it. I did some listing this morning and was thrilled when I heard the ca ching a little while later and my blazer sold for $40. I ran to Costco to pick up my cards and do a bit of shopping. I ran by Mom's to drop off a salad. I worked on cards this afternoon. The kids and I had dinner and then watched the Middle. I told Mom and Dad to stay home since it is negative degrees with the windchill this evening.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

At Least the Snow is Pretty

Not too much to share. I did a bit more listing last week. I took Friday off to just go out and shop. I walked slowly through Goodwill and had about a dozen things in the cart but left with one. I have so much clothing inventory and couldn't spend anymore on clothes. I did pick up a $3.99 used play doh set. It was one I had seen as a BOLO, be on the look out, items. The lady who posted the BOLO had a brand new one that she sold for $125.00. I pretty much rushed home to list this set. I currently have about a dozen bids and it is at $78.00, still has 4 more days of bidding. This is what keeps me thrifting.
I did not go out on Saturday morning. It is so cold here and I am just now starting to feel better. Ellie and I had Mom's ladies lunch on Saturday. Rob and Nick went out for some one on one time. Mom's lunch was lovely, as always. Good food, great company, lots of laughs.
I took the kids for their holiday haircuts this afternoon. Ellie's haircut from a couple weeks ago wasn't great and I knew Yvonne could fix it. Turned out the left side was 2 inches longer than the right. The snow started to fall and it is slippery out. The kids loved shoveling the walkway.
I think I will try to get some more things listed this week and out of the house. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

I am Tired

I guess it is a cold I have and not just dust related stuffiness. I am pooped out. Not really too motivated to do too much. Finally this evening, my nose has stopped free flowing so maybe I am kicking this.
We ran to the bus on Monday morning...guess that is what happens when you have a week off. I have been taking advantage of free listings and have 90% of my toys listed. I have been listing ties for the last 2 days. My bag that I keep the ties in seems to be a Mary Poppins bag, though. I swear, I have listed about 50 ties and the bag is still full.
The kids helped me Monday night to get the garland and ornaments up on the tree. We also decorated their trees in the their bedrooms. I got the outdoor lights up yesterday but I still need to add the soldiers.
I volunteered at school yesterday. Nick and I went grocery shopping after school while Ellie was at practice.
Mom and Dad came over for dinner tonight. We had broccoli, pasta, chick'n, salad and watermelon. I made brownies and pumpkin pie bars for dessert. Mom and Dad brought some gelato.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

A Long Holiday Weekend

It has been nice having the kids home this past week but I am ready for them to be back in school tomorrow.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. We began the day at church and then went to the GGs house for dinner. Uncle Bry came in from Wisconsin. We had a great meal together, so many delicious things to eat. The kids all had a great time playing together, too. We came home and put on pajamas and relaxed. I pulled out our Christmas puzzle - a mere 1,000 pieces. It proved to be a 3 day challenge. It is a Christmas scene with houses, stores, a pond, and snow...lots of snow.
Friday morning Ellie and I ran to do some Black Friday shopping. We did the unconventional Black Friday...thrift stores. We went to Unique and then Salvation. We got some nice items. We came home and my friend, Becki and her son, Eddie, stopped by for a visit. The kids had a fun time playing with him while we visited. I ran to Avenue and the other Salvation in the afternoon. I braved Target for Rob's headphones and another present. Mom and Dad took the kids overnight and Rob and I completed the evening with yer another Unique and dinner from Chipotle.
Saturday morning I was planning on listing but I found out Salvation was having $0.69 on a few colors and couldn't pass that up. I came home and listed instead. I went to pick the kids up but ended up staying and helping Mom clean out her closet. I was proud of Mom's purging. We came home and I worked on the puzzle and we had dinner.
I don't know if it was dust related or the start of a cold but I have had a pretty stead stream of snot and a bit of a sore throat. I slept in this morning and Rob took the kids to church. After the service they got to help decorate the church for Christmas. I was able to re-locate all my ebay boxes downstairs and start to clean the living room before they got home. Ellie and Rob ran to Menard's to try to get up some new tree lights and a wreath but they lights were far too difficult to find. Ellie and I ran to Target and had a great trip. I had a 20% off coupon from shopping on Friday. We got tree lights, storage boxes, vitamins, food, kitty supplies...if she wasn't with me it probably would have been more. We came home and I was able to decorate the mantle, the tops of the cabinets, rearrange the furniture, and dust/vacuum. We put the tree and the lights up before going to Mom and Dad's for dinner. Mom made her Thanksgiving dinner - it was delicious. I finished the puzzle before we left. We came home and the kids showered and we read.
Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree