Assistance of Another Sort and the Pandemic End

Sometimes you've got to get creative. This T-Rex held the measuring tape so I could list the Boy Scout belt for sale on eBay. Just for kicks and giggles, I left this image buried in the listing. In the description it reads, "T-Rex toes not included."

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185623423425

With the badges lotted up, the total value of all of the Boy Scout listings is $450. You can see why I push myself through these. It is like leaving money laying on the ground if they aren't for sale. And they will sell. I bought the BSA items in online lots. 

Boy Scouts of America BSA Neckerchief Slides
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185625875609

I also dabble in skeins of yarn. Here is my latest Hollywooding Homespun yarn. I have also learned to buy at least 2 skeins and to list them in small similar lots rather than lot up different ones. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185623519209

I have been quiet lately about pandemic-related stuff. Our Caleeforneeya governor Gavin has declared the crisis ends in February 2023. I work in a hybrid analyst position for the state where I work in office three days a week. When all of the staff were given the choice whether to return to the office or not, 95% chose to remain 100% remote. My job requires in office work so my choices were to come in 2 days a week and lose my cubicle (share space with someone else), or come in 3 days a week and have a dedicated cubicle. After nearly a year in this position, I still haven't met half of my co-workers. I am looking to return to remote work, if possible. The work experience is not the same. Very few are in office. Even fewer walk the streets and around the Capitol, with the exception of the numerous unhoused. 

We will see what this fall will bring. 

COVID deals out another disappointment

I was all set to visit the mom in assisted living when they went into lockdown again!!! This is the third time I have had to cancel a trip, one week prior to my leaving. The flip side of having scheduled this time off is I will be able to be in Fort Bragg, California, for a week while Sacramentens suffer through predicted 100 degree heat. 

What did I do to stave off my disappointment? I engaged in thrift shop fabric therapy, buying two mystery bags for less than $7. The character cows in Santa hats is a little odd, but a great eBay order wrapper fabric. Love the bits of batik with a plaid woven thrown in for these orange/yellow remnants. 

Thankfully, we haven't had any recent bouts of the COVID in any family or friends. 

I knew it would be slow for eBay sales during the summer, since all of my items for sale are home-based activities. I am like a squirrel storing away for winter, here are the needlekits in my death pile. 

The cutest of the "quilt" sewing patterns I just listed. I bought these in a bagged lot and chose at least 80% to sell, the rest were thrifted back. There were 4 of these elinor peace bailey patterns. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185453414883

I've pinned the lot of 17 to https://www.pinterest.com/thriftshpcomndo/tam_gonza-on-ebay-specialty-sewing-patterns/

Until next time,

Tami

Modeling the State Fair Dress and Missing Work Social Events

Thought this would be a cool fall image - me wearing the black strawberry print dress, with newly purchased thrift shop black leather gloves ($2.99) and black heels. 

I try not to think of all of the fun fall activities I enjoyed prior to this forced lifestyle change. I was also involved in the social committee, planning the fall potlucks, and Christmas parties. Work social activities were my only in-person social outlet. 

For a time, State workers were allowed paid time off to receive COVID vaccinations, to recover from those vaccinations, and to care for a family member stricken with the illness. Those protections ended in September. Now, it is anyone's guess what, if any, protections will continue. 

Reseller update: I continue to list Christmas CDs. I did quite well last year selling those items, people purchased them well into January. I picked up some Barbie clothes so I will lot those up to make a few bucks. I sell a lot of little stuff - but all those littles add up!

The sewing pattern priced the highest on the board is this 1969 Vogue Couturier Design by Fabiani of Italy. If I even pretended to be a seamstress, I would attempt this pattern. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184604543516

I will begin composing my Countdown to Christmas posts. That activity really continues all year long with image gathering. Countdown to Halloween and a week-long visit to my mom planned at the end of this month.