Becoming a Posh Addict

OK, so you have set up your account with Poshmark. Now what? Well, that's up to you. Did you sign up to sell, to buy or both? I think that most of us join Poshmark to find a great item at a great price. If you are anything like me, you know what you like and what you don't, so you immediately start browsing the site looking for a great pair of Miss Me Jeans in just the right size, Nine West pumps that you have always wanted but didn't really want to spend the money to buy retail because they were a hot pink color and would only go with one or two outfits, or what about that Michael Kors Tote that you want, but don't have $250-$350 or more to get the one you wanted retail. That's why I initially became a Poshmark member. I have the proverbial "Champagne Taste with a Lite Beer Budget!!" It took some time to find these awesome deals, but if you are persistent and patient, you can find some truly fantastic deals. I got these awesome Miss Me Cropped Jeans in perfect condition for $25, these fantastic brand new Nine West Fuchsia pumps for $12 and I also snagged an EUC (Excellent Used Condition) Michael Kors Tote for $90!! But as I continued to peruse the site, I noticed that I had a treasure trove of items in my own house that were just sitting in our closets. Clothes that were still in excellent condition, but were too small, or didn't fit just right, or was never worn and still had tags because of an impulse buy or a gift that I never got around to returning. We all have those type of items in our home. So, I began to see dollar signs everywhere I looked. I first started going though my closet, then my husband's clothes, and then I was digging through my boys' closets and drawers. I started listing anything and everything. If I thought a shirt looked too small on one of my son's, I would wait until they took it off and then quickly confiscated it, washed it, pressed it, and then listed it on the app. I would fain ignorance when someone would inquire as to the whereabouts of a particular article. It did work for a while, that is until one day in my bliss and excitement (and stupidity), I began "showing off" my "creative cover shots" to my family. It didn't take long until they discovered that they hadn't misplaced their items, but rather, I had been secretly posting and "selling" their beloved American Eagle plaid shirt that "showed off their muscles just right". I finally convinced my youngest that when his hands turned blue because his sleeves were cutting off the circulation in his arms, it was time to go up a size (or two). Believe it or not, I was able to find some of the same exact same shirts that I had Poshed and was able to replace them using my Posh earnings! That's a win-win in my book! I was able to restock his wardrobe without waiting for National tax free day or back to school sales. Because everyday is National Tax Free Day or Back to School Sales on Poshmark. I still can't believe that I am able to replenish not only my closet, but my entire family's closet just by using the earnings in my Posh account. So I am now officially a Poshmark Addict! If you have not yet signed up for Poshmark. Download the app on your mobile device and register using the code NUKKO for $5 off your first purchase! Well what are you waiting on? It's time to start Poshing!!

Beginning my Journey on Poshmark

Well, it has been well over two years since my last post, and I have to say that there have been a lot of changes as well. If you read my last post, I had just undergone surgery for a pain pump implant. The procedure for the most part was very successful! I no longer suffer at night or when I am sitting. Just some occasional pain when I walk or stand for any extended period of time. So yea! My middle son has graduated from Texas A&M Galveston with a Bachelor's in Marine Transportation and is a 3rd Mate, working his way to Captain, then hopefully on to becoming a Pilot in the Houston Ship Channel. My youngest son and youngest child has started his second year of college at Texas A&M College Station and is in the Honor's Math Program. He currently has a 4.0 GPA!! And I have been blessed with another precious grand-daughter!! We are quite "empty nesters", but we are getting pretty darn close. The two youngest boys still hang their hats in the hall (and leave their shoes, books, empty food containers, you get the picture), but one is away at school and the other, is getting close to landing a JOB and with any luck, he will eventually have his own place to hang his hat (and shoes, books, empty food containers and so on...). I love the peace and quiet, but I do miss the company. Finally, our world was rocked earlier this year in April when my husband (52 at the time) suffered multiple strokes. He has recovered well, but is still on disability until he can pass the cognitive assessment. He never lost any movement or suffered any paralysis. Prior to this my youngest had a bleeding ulcer and was placed in intensive care on Christmas Eve, while receiving a blood transfusion. He returned to the hospital in March with the same ulcer bleeding again. He seems to be doing better, but they still don't know what the cause it. The good news is that his platelet count and RBC numbers are back in the normal range and he is continuing to improve every day. So we praise our Almighty Father! God has been good and continues to bless me daily. We had just paid off all of our credit card debt in March, just prior to my husband's stroke. Thank God for great medical insurance through Chevron, his employer! But we still have an out-of-pocket total coinsurance that we are responsible as well as my son's medical bills. Furthermore, now that our middle son has graduated college, we have started the process of paying off the student loans. So if you are a woman and are like me, it's a little frustrating when all of your income is going out the door to pay off school loans and medical bills. I like to have a little to spend. I like new accessories and have just fallen in love with the Miss Me jeans, which are close to $100 a pair! For some of you that may not be much, but when you have never paid more than $30 for a pair of jeans, $100 is a fortune. My co-worker mentioned an online site called Poshmark. Her daughter sells her gently used clothes through their mobile app and has done surprisingly well. She is able to replenish her closet with new or gently used items from other Poshers. I was more interested at first with the great deals, I found on Poshmark. I bought several Pandora and Chamilia charms for my charm bracelet and 50% to 70% off retail, a month later, I had listed various items in my closet, sold a few things, and I was hooked. I was greeted by numerous veteran Poshers who helped me steer through the first couple of months and provided me with excellent advice. I also surfed the web for blogs (such as this one) to gather tips on cover shots, how to sell resale and how to be successful in the Poshmark environment. I am currently a top 10% seller, a top-rated (5 star) seller, a Posh Mentor, and received my first Host Pick a couple of weeks ago! My next goal is become a "Suggested User". I would love for you to follow me on my journey. I would love to provide you with helpful tips, ideas, cover shot techniques and share some great Poshmark Success Stories from various successful "Suggested Users" as I venture onward. If you have any suggestions that you would like to offer, please feel free to add them in the comments section. I am still new and welcome all of the advice I can get! If you have never experience Poshmark, sign up today using code NUKKO for a $5 credit towards your first purchase. Simply download the app on your mobile device, sign up using the code NUKKO, (or you can logon via your computer - you just can't list or edit any listings on your computer, it must be done though a mobile device - this is about making the experience as simple as possible) and log on! Then visit my closet @shabbychic45. I look forward to traveling with you! Michele' @shabbychic45 www.poshmark.com

No Pain, No Gain....

I have been struggling with chronic pain for over 7 years in various parts of my back. I have have two neck fusions, several steroid injection series, two rhizotomys in my lower back and have had a spinal cord stimulator (scs) implanted as well. Unfortunately none of these procedures has led to any great relief, so now I have gone back to the drawing board for what the doc call the last resort, implant of an intrathecal drug delivery system. I had the surgery on Tuesday Dec 31st (what a way to spend New Year's Eve). The doc also took out the scs as it was useless and interfered with being able to obtain an MRI if I ever needed one. So now, I have a hockey puck size pump implanted in the lower left abdominal wall in between the skin and muscle. A catheter is connected to the pump and the catheter is then placed into the intrathecal area surrounding the spinal cord when the medicine will be pump directly to my spine to help relieve my lower back pain. In theory, since the medication will dissipate up the spine, the relief should continue up through my shoulders and neck. I did the trial, and I worked great! No pain, but itched like crazy. I don't think the pump is on yet. I believe that will be done on Tuesday, when I go for my post-op visit. Looking forward to pain free days ahead!!! Keep me in your prayers and I will keep you updated! Until next time...Here's looking at you kid....

Lost My MoJo RAK

I just ran across this blog through Scrapbook.Com. She seems to have lost her MoJo and is desperately seeking creative ways to recapture her imagination. Click on the title to this post to go to her website link provided and give her some ideas of how you get your MoJo back. She is giving away some great goodies. Tell her I sent you. Michele'

Run Everybody, The Police are Coming!!

One recent Saturday morning (at 3:15 am I dare say), I was abruptly awoken to the ringing of the telephone. Of course I jumped out of bed and ran to the phone because when you get a call at 3:15 am, it usually isn't someone calling you to tell you that you have won the lottery. I quickly answered the phone, "Hello?"... The deep voiced person on the other end of the line politely asks, "Do you have a son named Chad?" "Um...., Yes Sir...." I said with a quiet uncertainty. I almost wanted to say, "That depends on who's calling", but it didn't sound like the "gentleman" on the other end of the line was in the mood for my little "ad libs". "Well Ma'am this is your city Police Department. We have Chad in custody here at the station and need you to come pick him up," he said rather matter of factly. My immediate response was "What the H#LL did he do now?!" I shouted as I slammed my hand down on the kitchen counter all the while thinking "maybe I shouldn't have said that". Again, the officer in his very "calm, professional, monotone" voice, "Ma'am, we will have to discuss that when you get to the station." My husband was up by then was asking what was going on. I replied in my most colorful voice, "CHAD HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND HE IS THE x$#&^ JAIL!!!" My husband and I threw on some clothes and headed out to the police station. When we walked threw the door and looked over to our left, there was parent of another child we knew all too well. He looked even more upset and angry than we were (I didn't know that was possible). The "nice lady" behind the "bullet proof window encased booth" asked us which child belonged to us. I thought for a moment about sayaing, "I am sorry, what are talking about? We have no children. We are here to report a crime", but again, I mumbled "Chad". The "nice lady" told us to have a seat in their "comfortable chairs" and the officer would be out shortly. I certainly would like to know what their definition of "shortly" meant. It seemed like we were waiting there for at least an hour, and I was beginning to think that they were doing it on purpose just because they could.... No actually it was only about 15 minutes, but when your son is handcuffed back in a police officer's office, time seems to creeps slowly. The officer explained that the station received a call stating that tires from the high school practice field had been laid out across street just outside our neighborhood and needed to be removed. An officer responded to the call and moved the tires off the road and over to the side on the grass. He left figuring it was some "stupid kids" (wow he had that one pegged), but they probably had already fled the scene. He continued his story, telling us that about 15 minutes later they received yet ANOTHER call. The tires were BACK across the road. They knew that this was definitely the actions of some "stupid kids", and felt fairly certain those "stupid kids" were still at the "crime scene". Now mind you my son just received an invitation to join the National Honor Society. The What??? The police responded back to the scene along with several backups. I would say at least a total of 6 cop cars swarmed the school with officers jumping out like a SWAT team as if they were about to bust a big drug ring. The kids began running in every direction, but apparently, my Nationa Honor Society son didn't pick the right direction. He, and two of his other friends were surrounded by police officers and honestly I'm surprised they didn't pee in their pants right then and there. Two of the boys that "escaped" were crying saying things like "Oh no no no no no...Oh no no no no" or " OMG It's the police!!! It's the police!! We're toast man TOAST!!" The first thing we took from our son was his most prized possession, his cell phone along with his freedom. Worst of all, my son is a very good athlete and his favorite sport is football. He was just moved up to to practice with the varsity team. He's a freshman and practicing with the varsity (just in case you didn't get the importance of the message here). We told him that he was going to need to go and tell the head coach. It was like a scene out of "Friday Night Lights". The funny thing is, is that our head coach was from the Odessa, TX area and actually coached at that high school in which the show is based off. I think my son would have rather given up his cell phone all of his social freedom for a year before he have gone and told the coach anything that merely hinted to the fact of police even just scolding him let alone him being arrested. He wasn't the only one that had to go tell the coach. Two of his other friends, including one which was lucky enough to get away from the police were made to go see the coach first thing the following Monday morning. The waiting was maddening, but walking up the sidewalk to the coaches offices was the most frightening. They all looked as white as a ghost. The boys all explained what they had done and after the coach deliberated as to what an appropriate punishment would be, the boys probably needed to go and change their clothes because of drenching sweat pouring off of them. Then the coach said, "Well boys, since you like tires so much, we're going to make sure you "really love" them. They were made to carry tires everywhere around the athletic training field, rolling them up hills and running around the entire school property with them around their necks. I don't think they want to see another tire for a long time, which iis good because maybe this will deter their desire for driving for a while. But at the very least I do think it will deter them from wondering around at night, when they should be home sleeping. This is just one of those stories that will never be forgotten.

Daylight Savings Time is Finally Here!!

I love spring time and I especially love daylight savings time!!! I get feel like I get more "day for my buck". The flowers will be blooming soon. I can see my daylilies starting to sprout out of the ground and I have pink salvia seedlings and offsprings all over my flower bed. I pulled them up and have planted them in small peat pots so that I can transplant them once I have cleaned out my flower bed and get ready to start planting for the season. Flowers just seem to have a calming sense about them. They are God's way of showing His Love to us.

Glad Tidings of Joy! I’m going to be a Mimi!

With sadness, comes happiness. I found out last week that I am going to be a grandmother (well, actually a Mimi, because I way too young to be a grandmother...That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!). Alan called me last week and said that he was going to be a dad. I said "NO WAY" because I thoughted they wanted to wait, but apparently God had other plans for their lives. I think Alan was kind of dissappointed in my response. I certainly didn't mean it like that. I had selfishly hoped that they would wait until he got out of the military and hopefully moved home before they started having babies, but every thing is in God's timing. The sweet precious baby is due October 9th. I just hope that I am able to be there when the baby is born. It would be horrible to miss out on the birth of my first grandchild. I can almost smell the sweet baby head, feel the warm downy skin, see the rosy red cheeks and feel the small hand and fingers wrapped around mine as if to say, "I have you now. You are mine and I am yours.

Life brings good and bad

It's been a while since I have blogged last. In fact, it has been over a month. I logged on to blog about the little blessings in my life and then I saw my last blog, which was about my son Alan and his wife Becky's snow day in North Carolina and pictures of their two puppies that Alan covered in snow. The daschound is Dixie and the boxer/pitbull is Layla. I just thought they were so cute all covered in snow that I had to blog about them. The sad part is is that last week Dixie was attacked by their next door neighbor's dog and hurt really bad. They took her to the emergency vet where they did some minor surgeries and patched her up. She seemed to be doing better, but then she wouldn't eat and she became very sick. Her leg was swollen, so they again rushed her to the emergency vet. The vet tried everything he could and gave them an option of having a major surgery to stop the internal bleeding, but he couldn't guarantee that she would survive or that she would fully recover, so they had to make a hard choice to put her down. Seeing that picture of her by the door covered in snow just breaks my heart. That was their first dog as husband and wife. Dixie kept Becky company and comforted her while her husband, my son Alan was in Iraq serving his country. I wish I was there to hug her and cry with her. Becky, if you read this, know that I have tears in my eyes right now crying and hurting for you. I know how much you loved your precious little dog and it just breaks my heart. I love you Becky.

Snow on the Coast

Akthough my son and his wife live in North Carolina, they live on the coast in Camp Lejeune, so they don't see much snow. However they got a couple of inches a week or so ago. My son had alot of fun throwing snow on his little puppies!! Poor little Dixie, the Daschound, looks likes she is saying "Mommy, help!! Let me in! I don't think that I like this white stuff".

The FlyLady - My Hero (I hope)

Perfectionism...I think we all know what that is. I have struggled with it for all my life. Perfectionism puts you in a rut because nothing ever really gets done or started. You feel like you can't do it "right" so you don't start at all. You feel that the world is fighting against you and that you have no choice, no control, but you do. Life is not about being perfect, it's about getting up everyday and starting over. I love the FlyLady's attitude about life. I love her style, the way her life is organized, but she didn't get that way overnight. It took time and she is not ashamed to admit that she took some pretty hard steps to get where she is today. Now she is an example to us all. I am going to start the FlyLady plan (again) and just keep trying until I can at least keep up. Little by little, not perfect, not overwhelmed, just a small bit at a time. Following the schedule that the FlyLady has set up. It doesn't matter even if I don't get everything done that she has on the list. Once I get "caught up" it will be easier to keep my home clean and I will feel that I will have time for my family and not feel guilty about blogging or scrapping or watching the Bachelor! I'll keep you posted as to my progress. I hope to get lots of support from my friends, so comments and/or words or encouragement will be greatly appreciated!