Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!
1. What is something you'll never forget about the age you are right now?

I am hoping to say this will be the year that my left knee will stop hurting. I'm not quite there but I do have hope.

2. What's a household chore you've never done? How have you managed that???

If you asked my husband what chore I've never done, he may say the dishes ;) I detest the dishes. But I have done them. I have never mopped the basement floor. Not that I remember.

3. Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture? Explain? 

I believe nurture. I'm not sure I can explain since this is just an opinion. I believe encouragement goes a long way when you are younger (and perhaps older). A child that is constantly put down will be different than someone who is constantly lifted up.

4. Friday (February 28th) is 'Something on a Stick Day'...funny because Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens recently sent me an idea for a question relating to this topic. What's your favorite food eaten on a stick? 

I don't eat too many foods on a stick. I love berries so perhaps fruit kabobs.

5. Which of your five senses do you treasure most, and why?

Sound. Hearing my husband laugh is a wonderful thing.

6. What's the best music, theatre, or sporting venue you've been to? What made it great?

I don't sit well. I can barely watch a movie at home without doing something else. We have been to Yankee Stadium, I have visited the best ballet in Russia and I have heard some great country singers. However, I have to say the Westwood Theatre and Cafe is my favorite. It is a second run movie theatre. It has long tables in front of you and you get a meal delivered to you while you watch the movie.

7. It's the last week of the month...in five words or less bid adieu to your February.

I won't miss you. Ha.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We had a friend and her five children over today. It was their fourth time of visiting and I enjoy every minute. We made button tree canvases which was part Pinterest, part a thought while walking around JoAnns.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Top 10 Ebay Sales - 2/21/14

I haven't been listing so that means less sales. However, I am still selling thankfully. Here are a few of my top sales of the week: 

1. Kate Spade white sleeveless top with an odd ruffle, sold for $31. 




2. Japanese kimono, sold for $24.50 with multiple bids. This previously went unsold for $4.99. 


3. Talbots paisley & floral skirt, sold for $37. This goes to show you that you don't need a fancy mannequin. I laid this on  piece of white poster board.


4. J. Crew pale pink silk dress, sold for $27.


5. Bryn Walker purple top, sold for $20 with 11 bids.


6. Mountrek puffy boots. I ordered these off of 6pm.com for myself. I paid $22 with free shipping. They came and I realized I needed a wider width. I sold them on ebay for $30 plus shipping. After ebay fees, I made $2. Ha. But, if I would have returned them, I would have lost atleast $8-$10 to ship them back.



7. St. John Collection blue jacket, sold for $65 although it had a stain and was in their tiniest size. I purchased this for just $1.50 so I am pretty thrilled. 


8. Vtg. Laura Ashley dress, sold for $38. 


9. Vtg Laura Ashley green corduroy jumper dress, sold for $25.50. I purchased about 40 vintage Laura Ashley dresses about a month ago. This was my 8th sold dress and I have made back over half of my investment.


10. Boston Proper velvet top, sold for $30. I loved this top. It hung in my closet for months. I kept trying it on and taking it off. The neckline just didn't work for me. I paid $2 for it so the profit was good.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Hope

I promise to do a weekly Top 10 ebay post tomorrow. This is going to be a bit long and for that I apologize. Feel free to skip this post.


My family doctor & knee doctor have been working hard on my behalf to find a RSD specialist. They have recommended a few over the last two weeks and all of those didn't take my insurance.

My knee doctor finally found someone who took my insurance. I called Tuesday and they got me in today - two days after I first called which is a miracle in itself. Pain doctors have waiting lists for weeks if not months.

My new doctor's office is a bit run down looking. There are dark wood panels on all four walls and the waiting room has yard-sale style furniture. It looks like someone picked up a wood table on the side of the road and the receptionist is now using it. They do their scheduling in a book and not on the computer. There is a full coffee bar set up on a folding table in a corner. There are bobble heads everywhere. I counted six on the little ledge above our head. We walked in and completely misjudged this office.

I had typed up a "Journey of My Left Knee" two page summary of everything that has happened over the last two years. I gave it to the receptionist when I checked in. And by "checked in" I mean I walked in and she said "You must be Mellissa."

My name was called and I went into a tiny closet of an office with my super tall husband. The doctor wasn't even there. He has another office and doesn't visit this one. My husband and just looked at each other and misjudged them even further. We were speaking to the physician's assistant.

Within two minutes, I knew I was completely wrong about this place. The PA knew her stuff. She really knew it. She knew all about RSD and took the time to read my little typed up story. She said she knew all about the cortisone shots, the three surgeries, the physical therapy, the medicine and the allergies. She knew how Vicodin sent me to the hospital in an ambulance. She basically memorized my story.

She said she wasn't going to even press on my knee since she believed I was in great pain. She did take a look at my knee which was more than my last pain clinic did. They just threw medication at me. The new doctor doesn't do medicine. They specialize in injections.

Brandy (the PA) mapped out the plan for my knee. Isn't it wonderful to have a plan? I am a plan type of girl.

On March 11 I will go to the hospital and get a spinal injection. It is meant to block the nerve pain. It will be an outpatient procedure and we will know within days if it works. That means in just over three weeks, I could be without pain. I could walk without a cane. I could sleep through the night.

If it works, there will be a second injection several weeks later to boost that injection. There is a 50% chance of this working.

If it doesn't work, there is another step to the plan. If it doesn't work, I will need a little device that delivers medication inserted on my spine. It is called a medication delivery pump. There would be a trial run where I would have a small port in my back and I would wear the device outside for a week. If it worked, it would then be inserted.

I realize this sounds like a very drastic thing. But I have fallen twice within the last week. I started to use a cane this week and it has stopped me from falling another two times. I am in bed most days and I am up to four Percocet a day.

RSD is known to get worse and has no cure. So with that being said, both of these things would mask my pain. The PA is hoping that one will work and that we can stop the RSD from progressing.

I have hope. I am truly praising God. There are people with RSD that aren't diagnosed until it is too late. They go years without being diagnosed. I am thankful that my doctor has caught it early.

Please pray for me. I am hopeful and excited that there may be an end in site. Yes, I will need maintenance over the years. But to walk without pain or even less pain would be a truly wonderful thing.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Snow Photos

We have been hit pretty hard this winter. Of course, we live in Pennsylvania and we get a ton of snow every year.

How we feel about the snow!


My husband has been removing snow from the driveways of his dad's & his uncle's almost every day for weeks. He has also helped out two people that were stuck and has shoveled snow for the guy across the street from his dad. This is on top of shoveling our back porch. And cleaning, cooking and basically doing anything I need. Oh - did I mention he sings & plays in a band Friday & Saturday nights and leads worship at church on Sunday? And takes care of all his dad's needs too? I married a pretty amazing guy.


We have a gravel driveway which goes around our home. My husband has been driving around the house every day to 'flatten' the snow on the gravel. Today he got stuck. With a four wheel drive. 






I have been out once in the last 9 days. Hopefully it warms up a bit!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Knee Update

For those that don't know, I have been diagnosed with RSD in my left knee. I was hoping to get chosen to see a specialist but it turns out he is no longer taking RSD patients. So that put me back to square one. 

My knee doctor & family doctor are both awesome. Last week both took the time to find me another RSD doctor and my family doctor even made me an appointment with one. It turns out that they don't take my insurance. Boo. 

My knee doctor gave me the name of a pain doctor that DOES take my insurance. Both doctors faxed over my records and they called today. I have an appointment for Thursday - three days from now. I'm encouraged by that. This doctor uses therapy & injections to help chronic pain patients. 

Today was the first day I was outside in over a week. I made the big trip to Wal-Mart. It wasn't the best but I made it through. Right now the only way I am getting out of bed is taking pain medicine so I am really hoping the new pain doctor helps. 

I did fall both Saturday & Sunday. Nope, I wasn't outside in the 16" of snow or on the ice. I was in my house. I didn't have my crutches either time. It is hard to carry anything when I use them. I am fine but I am a little more hesitant to walk around the house. 

My hubby is bringing home a cane from his almost 88 year old dad's house today. I may have to decorate it with some fun Duct tape. 

Photo credit

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Top 10 Ebay Sales - 2/13/2014

A few weeks ago I had someone email me and ask if I wanted to purchase a lot of 40 vintage Laura Ashley dresses. YES! I am struggling with riding in the car due to the vibrations hurting my knee. So inventory shipped directly to me is very appealing right now. I have been slowly listing and selling them.

1. Laura Ashley floral tiered skirt, sold for $30. All of my Laura Ashley items were made in Great Britain which makes them more desirable on ebay.



2. Laura Ashley green floral dress, sold for $40.



3. Laura Ashley pink floral dress, sold for $40. 



4. Laura Ashley plaid dress, sold for $50.





5. Laura Ashley velour floral dress, sold for $40.



6. This...ummm...lovely dress from the 1980's. Sold for $26.


7. Under Armour black pants, sold for $36.


8. Michael by Michael Kors striped dress, sold for $46.


9. Talbots linen sheath dress, sold for $35.


10. Sweet Pea strapless maxi dress, sold for $31.


11. Pottery Barn shower curtain, sold for $90. Yes, I found this at a thrift. I was going to try it in my bathroom but it was a bit busy for my taste.


12. I love this dress so very much and wanted to keep it. I imagined myself on a boat with tiny red ballet flats and my hair gently blowing in the wind. I need to have more friends with boats. And I need to not get sea sick. Positive Attitude vintage dress, sold for $40.



Today I am working on listing a few more items today. We are getting more snow. Ugh. Can it be spring yet?

Monday, February 10, 2014

Knee Update - RSD

I will be doing another ebay post later in the week but for now I wanted to blog about my knee. 

For those that don't know, I was diagnosed with RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) by three different doctors. My knee doctor and family doctor are truly great. I am going to a pain clinic which is just throwing pain medicine at me. I am thankful for the medicine but I don't see this as a long term solution.

RSD causes pain which is localized in my left knee. My knee doctor recommended a specialist who thankfully is only 45 minutes for me. This new doctor chooses which cases he wants and so my knee doctor submitted my records for him to review. 


I should know this week if the specialist will work with me. I am praying he chooses me. If he does, I should be able to see him within a month. He specializes in spinal injections which will help with the pain.

For now, I am mostly on bed rest. I was able to go to church yesterday and I enjoyed seeing my church family & friends.

I have a fun little set up with my laptop, TV and the bathroom is less than 10 feet away which is great. I am thankful I have such a flexible 'job' with ebay where I can rest if I need to. 


And a few more photos from around the house. 

One of my birthday presents from my mom was this vinyl quote. I love it. 
 

See that awesome vintage humidifier? My hubby found it. I have had trouble with my throat being dry and this has made a difference. It was about $10. It may be my favorite thing in the room right now. It doesn't even match but I adore the color.
 



My husband & I don't really do gifts for holidays. We would rather put the money toward a vacation. But, he surprised me with a new pendant light for above the sink. He picked it out and installed it by himself. I love it.


Purchased from Home Depot.

It matches our kitchen light so well. And guess who picked this one out? Yup, my husband! He found it on clearance at Home Depot. 
 

 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Top 18 Ebay Sales - 2/6/14

Here are the top 18 items I have sold over the last week. Why 18? Because I wanted to include some of my personal items in this list. My average sale was around $20. 

1. Donna Rico blue dress with a built-in necklace, sold for $31. 


2. Joseph Ribkoff bright pink dress, sold for $31 to a buyer in the UK. 


3. Vintage Gitano acid was jean skirt, sold for $23.50 to a buyer in Canada. 


4. Wen cleansing conditioner, sold for $30. I purchased a set of 5 of these from QVC for $80. I kept one and will resell the others. That means I got mine for free (if I sell the others for $20). 


5. Vtg 1950's pony hair shoes, sold for $28. 


6. Keds slipper socks in the original 1981 box, sold for $20. 


7. Bebe maxi dress with a small flaw, sold for $50. 


8. New Karen Miller bronze lace dress & jacket set, sold for $66. 


9. New Alfani animal print wrap dress, sold for $22. This had previously went unsold for $9.99. 


10. J. Crew lobster print skirt with a small flaw, sold for $30. This was my personal skirt which I have worn a few times. 


11. Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte wrap skirt, sold for $50. 


12. Lululemon pants with a stain on the front, sold for $50. These were my personal pants. The stain on the front was thanks to my mechanic who used oil on my sliding van door. I didn't realize it until I leaned in the back to get something and got a mark across my shins. Ugh.


13. Carlisle black skirt, sold for $31. I have no idea why. This skirt has been sitting for months at a much lower price. 



14. Armani Exchange printed silk skirt, sold for $52. 



15. Pink Lotus for Athleta casual top, sold for $29. 



16. Lilly Pulitzer halter floral dress, sold for $75. 


17. Peruvian Connection new brown dress, sold for $37.50. 


18. Samsung digital camera, sold for $61. Have an old camera or cell phone laying around the house? Sell it!