The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Is it a coincidence that I'm reading a book called, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, that matches my real life? This book starts with a house getting demolished, then planet earth gets demolished. Meanwhile, a Christmas tree in my in my backyard patio gets demolished. Weird coincidence??

 

The Barista

He smiles at me May I take your order please Cappuccino, latte, or me Frothy steam Coffee kisses daydream Red lipstick blotch on the coffee cup Thank you Your welcome

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Good

• Bus ride
• Food
• Game
• People
• Location
• Weather
• Bucket List
• Adventure
• Free breakfast

Bad, Ugly

• Crying child
• Barking dog
• Ringing phone at 2:00 am
• Noises at door
• Purse
• Ticket 
• Lady, I'm in the right seat
• Getting a drink, crowds
• Uber lot
• Expensive

**Lessons Learned

My Playlists

 

Reselling, Thrifting and Flipping

About five years ago, I was looking for an easy, part-time income. I was looking for something fun and something I can do at home. So, I started to research on the internet. I was surprised to learn that people were making a living out of selling thrift store items (mostly flipping second-hand clothing) on the internet. I decided I would give it a try and picked Tradesy to sell my items. I started by selling gently used clothing out of my own closet. It was awesome when I made sales. I've since moved on from Tradesy and I sell on Poshmark, Mercari, Vinted and eBay.

The reselling apps makes it very easy to shop online. You can easily search for anything you are looking for by searching by category, brand, color, size and price. You can also save a lot of money by buying secondhand versus retail.

My on-line business has grown from five years ago and I currently have 253 listings on Poshmark. I keep my inventory small to make it manageable. Some of my inventory comes out of my own closet, as well as thrift stores. I also look for new items which I buy at discounted prices. I usually sell 1-2 items per week. No, I'm not getting rich but the extra money comes in handy.

I try to spend as little as I can on shipping supplies. I can get free shipping boxes at the post office for Poshmark orders. I also buy polymailers in bulk. Anything else I need, I buy at the dollar store. You also need a cell phone or camera to take photos and you need a laptop or desktop computer and a printer. For storing inventory, I use an extra closet, a drawer in my dresser and a small storage unit. I bought a mannequin at the Dress Barn going-out-of-business sale for $5. I'm lucky enough to have a mailbox in walking distance, so I rarely need to make trips to the post office.

Inventory Drawer

Storage Unit

Supplies

What are the drawbacks to having an on-line business? It sometimes takes a while to sell something online, but I can be very patient and I'm also not necessarily looking for quick sales. It also takes time and effort to shop for the items you want to sell and you have to keep an eye out for fashion trends and what the customer is looking for. Another drawback is lowball offers from buyers because some people think they can get something for nothing. Luckily, I haven't had too much of a problem with that because my items are reasonably priced.

Other than that, I absolutely love my side hustle, not only for the extra money it brings me but it combines my love for thrift shopping, fashion and selling. It's awesome to have my own mini store right in my own home.

https://poshmark.com/closet/josie144

https://www.vinted.com/member/14832502-josie144

https://www.mercari.com/u/178464119/

https://www.ebay.com/usr/josephinfrisican-0

The Stand

It's been an interesting experience reading The Stand during a pandemic. This book came out in 1978. It's frightening how many references the book makes that actually happened. The book is truly a prophesy. The book is very long (1,149 pages) and I'm finally coming towards the end. As you can imagine, the book is very dark, so you have been warned. Happy summer reading!

My Patio Oasis

I am disappointed in not taking a summer vacation this year. Though all things considered, I am grateful for good health and outdoor space in my patio where I can read and relax with a cold drink. After all, vacation is a state of mind. My patio is little slice of heaven at home.

Life Lessons, Learned In My Life

1. Ice cream fixes just about everything.

2. You are responsible for your own life and your health.

3. Candles go a long way in making your house/apartment feel like a home.

4. You'll learn to be grateful for your faith.

5. There's a lot of things that happen in life you don't have control over, but you can control your attitude. If you need to vent, go ahead, and get it out of your system.

6. Your coworkers becomes family.

7. People you love will move away, but being reunited brings a new kind of joy.

8. Sunday brunch will become your favorite meal.

9. It's better to be disappointed in a romantic interest than being disappointed in yourself.

10. The best feeling in the world is the summer breeze on your skin.

11. The best thing money can buy is experiences. Go travel and see the places you dream about.

12. Don't let anybody stop you from pursuing your career goals.

13. Drop the comparison game and learn to be OK with where you are in your own life.

14. Weekends are for recharging and relaxation, but don't miss out on fun activities.

15. Grieving and healing is a process. No one can tell you what that looks like for you.

16. Creative activities boosts your well being. Write, dance, sing, color, paint, take pictures, knit... don't stop creating.

17. The choices you make in life determines your destiny as well as your destiny is also written out for you.

18. Reading is as important as living. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”

19. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. You will learn a lot about human resiliency.

20. Surround yourself with people that make you feel big.

21. You are never too old to learn something new.

22. Do things you want to experience, but choose wisely.

23. Nobody is proficient doing something for the first time, you have keep practicing to get better. Be patient when learning something new.

24. When looking back, you'll remember kindness from strangers.

25. Forget about seeking revenge on people who have wronged you. It's better to forget about these people and move on with your life.

26. The world is a hard place, so treat yourself with kindness. Treat yourself to spa treatments, buy yourself flowers, get your hair done. Practice relaxation techniques, deep breathing, meditation, exercise and yoga. These activities can boost energy and reduce stress.

27. Wear what makes you feel confident.

28. Practice mindfulness. Focusing on the present moment without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around you. 

29. Clean out closets and clutter. Give away things you don't use anymore. Donate to charity or give away for free.

30. Life has many chapters and there is so much left to learn. Enjoy the journey.

My Favorite Things

In no particular order:

Autumn
Coffee
Books
Bargains
Candy Crush
Cute Clothes
Shabby Chic/Vintage
Lavender
Festivals
Reality TV
Museums
Zumba
Dogs
Good Movies
Chocolate
Health & Wellness
Candles
Pizza
Selling
Back & Scalp Massage
Meaningful Conversation
Walks & Hiking
Travel & Vacations
Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Peas
Counted Cross Stitch
Beaches
Daisies
Netflix & Hulu
White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream
Sleep Stories
Libraries
Shopping
Manicures & Pedicures
Fuzzy Cozy Sweaters
Cooking & Baking
Nostalgia 
Alternative/Jazz/Oldies/Coffee House Music
Spa Vacations
Concerts
Historical Books/TV
Naps
Adult Coloring Books
Cupcakes
Poetry
Family Get-Togethers
Parks
When Calls The Heart (Hallmark TV show)
Lasagna
My Online Business
Adventure
Peace

The winter I hibernated

Reflecting on my unfortunate accident, which occurred almost a year ago, when I slipped and fell on ice, and fractured a bone in my right arm. At the time when this happened, I thought that this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Not being able to drive, I was a shut-in from January to July. Other than doctor's appointments, physical therapy, and the occasional outing to get my hair done or to just get out of the house, I was at home the entire time. My family members couldn't always take me to appointments, so thank God for Uber. The worst part was sleeping sitting up because lying down was too painful. Having to lose the use of my right arm, you truly do not know how much you use both arms until you can't. Simple things became a major deal. I'm happy to say my arm has completely healed, however, I'm still having problems with my right hand and cannot bend my fingers to make a fist. My orthopedic doctor says that the stiffness in my hand may go away in time (or it may not).

I guess the important thing to remember is that I survived and that this was a period of self care. I had no choice but to listen to my body's demands to rest to restore healing.

Yes, I truly did hibernate last winter.

“You are being tested. And you know what they say my darling, being tested only makes you stronger.” –Downton Abbey

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” –Bob Marley

The winter of MY discontent

The winter of 2018. The winter of our my discontent.

My Poetry

A Perfect Summer Day

City street stillness in the 1960’s
Two hippies pushing a baby carriage down the street
A castle building in my vision
Playground sandbox and swings
Sun shining through the leaves
A soft summer breeze
Reliving a childhood memory
Ingrained in my brain
Attacking all my senses  
When time stood still
On that perfect summer day 

– A poem by me

The Library

Ever since I was a child, I have loved going to the library. The library was a place to go in times of unemployment. Or it was a refuge from a noisy world. Or it was a place to study in peace and quiet. Of course, the best reason is you can borrow books, DVDs, and audio books for free and all you need is a library card. Many libraries are now offering free classes, such as cooking, technology, and crafting. My local library offers free wifi and computer access.

I personally go to the library to get away from it all. I get a coffee and find a cozy chair and read whatever current book I'm reading. Sometimes I bring my adult coloring book and color away while I'm listening to music on my earphones.

I have fond memories of my first library as a child. It was called the Edgerton Library, and it was located inside a wing of a very old building. The library was small and quaint. The building which housed the library was, at one time, a girl's dormitory for juvenile delinquents. The library was in walking distance from my school, so my classmates and I would walk to the library after school.

I recently found some old photos of the Edgerton Library and I thought they were really cool. Unfortunately, the building which housed the library was knocked down, probably sometime in the 1980's. Enjoy the photos.

The library is located up those stairs. The stone pillar is still there. This space where the building was is now a children's park.

Librarians in 1968.

I remember the pillars, the front desk and the wooden bench to the right.

The room with the fireplace is the children's section.

The library file cabinet (Dewey decimal system card holder).

This is back of the library looking out toward the front.

I remember the library had a lot of windows.

I remember sitting at that corner table.

The main desk area and checkout area.

The room with the desk is the children's section.

The entrance into the library.

Children's section.

Main desk area. The door way in the back is the room where they held children's story time.

This is the back of the library. Front desk is up ahead.

I got duped by Mary Kay Cosmetics

I entered a random drawing at the mall advertising a free facial and makeover. You had to guess how many items were in a glass container. So, I said sure, why not. So, I get a call from a woman informing me that I had won. She took my name and address and mailed me a postcard that said I had won a free pampering session that included a hand treatment, a facial, and a $20 gift card.

The day of my "pampering" session had arrived. So I walk into a room where tables and chairs are set up with makeup trays placed on the tables and about 10-15 women in the room. I was greeted then by the woman who sent me the postcard. I asked the woman if the other women in the room had also won the contest and she said, "no, not all of them." I'm already starting to get suspicious. She then brought me coffee and a muffin. OK, thanks.

The woman then led me to a sink where she squirted something that felt like Vaseline Jelly on my hands and she told me to rub my hands together. At that point, it was clear, this was not what I thought it would be. A pampering spa session is when other people do it for you, not when you have to do it yourself.

For the next couple of hours, we were given a history of Mary Kay cosmetics, how successful these women were selling Mary Kay cosmetics (new cars, vacations) and a walk through of the products that were placed onto our makeup trays, which we had to apply ourselves. The funniest moment came when we were told to check our phones and write down as many female names and phone numbers for a pampering session. For each name and phone number that was given, you would be entered in a raffle to win a free prize. I immediately refused to do this. The woman who sent me the postcard shot me a dirty look and said, "you don't know any women who would like this?" I said I didn't comfortable doing that. LOL, she was mad that I didn't write any names down. I don't give a shit. That's a good way to make my friends/acquaintances get mad at me. It's bad enough I fell for this scam.

So after this 2 hour sales pitch, I was led into another room for another sales pitch to buy cosmetics and/or to become a Mary Kay representative. I told the women I may be interested if I can only sell on-line and I wasn't interested in doing parties, in other words, scamming people into thinking they would be getting a facial that they would be doing themselves. The woman shot this down and went into a spiel how Mary Kay reps work as a team. What?? OK, fine. Now comes the time to sell me products. But wait, I still have my $20 gift card, which I used, but I still ended up buying two products and spent $27 on crap that I don't need. There is a silver lining. I'm going to sell those two products on eBay and get my money back.

You have been warned. This "pampering session" is nothing more than a recruiting session. If someone from Mary Kay calls you and tells you that you won a free facial and pampering session, RUN. I will never purchase any products from Mary Kay. Deception is not a good sales pitch.

Cooking

"Personally, I feel a sense of abundance when I prepare a home cooked meal. I love the feeling that I've placed everything we need on the table. It's different from a restaurant enterprise--that's an act of commerce, a transaction. At home, no one worries about what to order from the menu or what the tab's going to be, what wine to pair with the food.

And I love to see the way people taste and enjoy what I've prepared. It's a way of showing my care and regard for someone. When I create something delicious in my kitchen, it sends a clear message.

When we sit down together for a meal, we slow down, relax and talk with each other. It's always nice to be quiet while we eat and just enjoy the comfort and companionship of a shared meal."

By Susan Wiggs, The Beekeeper's Ball

My Poetry

Mystery Man

Mystery man at the library
I see how your eyes smiled at me
Wondering what your story might be and
How did you end up working in a library?
My nose in a book as you pass by me
You arise my curiosity
That awakens my sensuosity

Train Whistle

Train whistle late at night
Fills me with a melancholy fright
Living in a world that is not right
In the moonlight, past midnight
A late-night blight until the next daylight



Urban Blight

I see children play in urban decay
Boarded up homes with dirt and grime
Certainly not pleasing to the eye
Gray urban sprawl glares at me
Even the trees depress me
A closed door to a once-upon-a-time
That faded away into grime
Afternoon turns into evening
The foreboding wind whistles through
Forcing the trees to blow askew
On a past we once knew

Easy Ravioli Lasagna

I made this and it's delicious and easy!! This recipe is a keeper.

EASY RAVIOLI LASAGNA

6-8

10 MINUTES

1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES

1 HOUR, 25 MINUTES

1 package (25 to 27 1/2 ounces) frozen beef-filled ravioli

24-ounce jar tomato pasta sauce

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Preheat your oven to 400˚ Fahrenheit. Pour a cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a lightly greased 8x8 casserole pan.

Create an even layer with frozen ravioli and top with more sauce and some mozzarella cheese. Repeat until you're out of ravioli.

Top with mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Pro tip: Customize your lasagna! There are so many different types of ravioli out there, experiment and find your favorite! 

Finished dish is a huge hit!!

Easy No Bake Strawberry Marshmallow Pie

I'm always looking for easy recipes and this one is a keeper!

What you need:

- 12 oz. cream cheese

- 7 oz. marshmallow cream

- 8 oz. Cool Whip

- 1 can strawberry pie filling

- 1 graham cracker pie crust

Beat cream cheese, add marshmallow cream, beat until smooth. Add Cool Whip, mix until incorporated. Pour into pie crust, refrigerate pie for 2-3 hours until firm. Top pie with strawberry pie filling. Garnish with whipped cream.

Done!

Enjoy!

Sweater Girl

I love sweater weather and my closet is filled with sweaters. 

I try to wear all my sweaters at least once during the fall/winter season. I have all types of sweaters in my closet: pullovers, cardigans, turtlenecks, cowl necks, tunics, hoodies, and ponchos. I've never counted them, but I probably have between 50-60 sweaters, maybe more. I think it may be time to get rid of a few of them. Yeah, riiiiiight.

I am never satisfied with finding the perfect sweater.

My perfect sweater can take me to work, as well as going to the movies with friends or running errands. My perfect sweater is comfortable, stylish, can't be itchy, too bulky, or too tight or too loose, and most importantly, it must be bought on sale.

One of my latest additions is a Liz Claiborne sweater found on the bargain rack at JCPenney. Original price was $40, bought it for $10. I love the animal print and the 3/4 sleeve, perfect for wearing a bracelet.

Bought this sweater yesterday at Plato's Closet. Original price was $14, bought it for $1. Yes, you read that right, I paid $1 for this sweater. That may be my perfect sweater.

My easy, healthy, one-pan chicken dinner

Nothing makes a cold winter night more bearable than a hot and hearty meal. This chicken dinner is my favorite winter comfort food.

It's also easy, healthy, affordable and delicious!

What you need:

- Large Baking Dish

- Olive Oil

- Salt-free Seasoning

- Potatoes (I use 3 large potatoes)

- Chicken Breast (I use 2)

- Vegetable (I use frozen broccoli, but you can use any vegetable you like, fresh, frozen or canned.)

Peel and chop up potatoes. Place chopped potatoes in a baking dish and pour a generous amount of olive oil, stir potatoes so potatoes are well coated with oil, sprinkle salt-free seasoning on potatoes. Cover with foil. Place potatoes in the oven, at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. While potatoes are baking, cut up chicken, (and vegetable, if using fresh produce) in bite-size portions. After 10-15 minutes, remove pan from the oven and add chicken and vegetable to the pan, add more salt-free seasoning to chicken to taste. Cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour or until chicken and potatoes are cooked.

Take out of the oven and serve with a crisp salad. Enjoy!

Finished dish is always a HUGE hit!