just in time for Christmas....

" In a bold move today that is sure to create controversy among fans of the company, Mattel announced its new Barbie doll; ‘Public Assistance Barbie’ will be marketed directly to inner-city youths and children of welfare recipients.

”Since 1959 Barbie dolls have been through major changes to reflect the times we live in. Today with over 40% of Americans on some sort of public assistance, we felt the time was right for ‘Public Assistance Barbie,” said Mattel spokesman Rick Reynolds. “After doing research on people receiving assistance, we have come out with what we think is a fair and sensitive portrayal of that kind of person with our new doll. Each Public Assistance Barbie will come with a new Cadillac, Puma sweats, a pack of Newports, an Obama phone, an EBT card, and a rack of Budweiser. She will also come in three styles: heavily tattooed and pierced, pregnant and smoking, and a ‘black eye’ version from when drunken Ken beat her for not paying the cable bill. Public Assistance Barbies will be on the shelves in time for your holiday purchases, and will come in special theft-deterrent boxes. EBT cards cannot be used to purchase, unfortunately.”

“That is the most racist shit I ever heard of,” said Laquisha Lamont, a welfare recipient in Queens, New York. ”That’s stereotypical bullshit. I ain’t got no Cadillac! I do wear Puma sweats, smoke Newports, and I have a tramp stamp, but I drive a Chrysler 300, and that ain’t no Caddy! It’s so typical for them to make a doll like that, and show it off on kid’s TV. Now I will have to get one for my daughter when my unemployment check comes in. Damn toy companies!”

-courtesy Empire News.Net

Garage Sale Day

The morning started off sticky. You could cut the humidity with a knife. But I was up at 7 sharp. Had the coffee pot going and getting my items out in the driveway for our Bi-Annual community garage sale. NW and ND were up getting in on the action as well, they were ready to go to work.

By 8am the steady line of cars started streaming past. Most were not stopping. I guess the newest thing in garage sale shopping is doing a “drive by”.  It does start to frustrate a person who is trying to sell things.

How does a person actually know what is for sale unless they get out of the car and go look? NW asked me how lazy can people be to not get out of a car.

Then there are those who want you to just give your items away. For instance I had a crystal bowl for $2.00. A lady inquired about the price, she said “well, I don’t want it that bad” and walked off.  A bit later, an elderly single gentleman stopped by, He loved the bowl and had no problem giving me my asking price. The nice man chatted a bit with me; he had a kindly face, very southern and reminded me a lot of my Good Father in law. I was pleased my crystal bowl went to him.

We also had the diamond plated tool box from Seniors truck for sale. We just purchased it last year for over $250.00 and any one who has bought one, knows how pricey a good one can be. We have ours for $125.00.  Many inquired about it. But my favorite was the person who asked if $125 was the lowest we could go.

Now, you must know my Senior to understand the look he gave the man.

Fortunately for the customer Senior was wearing his sunglasses so he couldn't see the look he was getting. I kept my mouth shut and let Senior do the talking. I could tell behind his shades that he was pondering the question, he looked off to space, twitched his mouth a bit...then came back with a flat "A yeah" . After the man walked off, Senior commented "Damn tire kickers"

 

We had lots of the kid’s toys out for sale as well, and as always those did well. But isn't it just like kids to not ever want to play with something until you have it for sale?  Mine do just that. All of sudden because you want to sell it, the toy becomes important and they just can't part with it.

 

 We have had a changing table since ND was a baby.  I have not been able to sale or even give it away free. Nothing is wrong with it, It just loves our house and doesn’t wish to leave it.  Look at the above picture the changing table is to the left. I had it all but thrown out in peoples faces, and still no one looked at it. It is like there is some sort of force field around it preventing it from leaving. I have also used it for other things then a changing table. Now I would just like to get a little cash for it and have it out of the house. But still...it stays. 

Our total take today was not the best we have done, but any time we can make a little profit is better then not. So I was grateful. I was happy any wet weather that was predicted held off, and I am extremely grateful that it became over cast and breezy. The day was not bad.

 

-JUGM

The Great Gift Card Debacle

as everyone knows Tuesday was our oldest sons (NWs) birthday. My sister thought it would be a great idea to give him a  30.00 gift card so he could go shopping on his own and pick out what he wants.

The thought behind the idea was wonderful...until..he told his little brother (ND) " I will give you 10.00 from the card and you can get something too"...
I thought how sweet and what a wonderful brother. "But" I said "If ND gets a card for his birthday he should do the same in return".  They agreed.
Thus begins our odyssey. We are in the toy section and Me as always is short on time.."lets decide on something boys" ND picked out a new mini transformer."Sentinel Prime" it was 9.97.  it was then that NW looked over and saw a pirate ship for the full 30.00. He just HAD to have it..  I explained that he can't promise his brother something then not deliver..it wasn't fair to his little brother.  And with that explanation, I am now offically a mean mother.  : )

NW turned to his little brother and told him to put back Sentinel Prime.. At that precise moment all heck broke lose. ND told  NW that he did not love him anymore and he is completely unfair...
With ND in tears, NW tried telling him that NDs birthday is in a month and that he could get the toy then, and that is was his money and he wanted the pirate ship. The huffing and puffing continued then I intervened..I told them to put all toys back that NO ONE would get anything that day..  
Was I right to do that?  I feel like I should have allowed ND the small toy since his brother had just been so unfair to him. But, his behavior in the store told me not to, he was being just as ugly has his brother.

We got home, and I sat both boys down and told them that while the gift card was a present to NW, he should not have told his brother he would share it if he did not intend on doing so. I have told them to work it out and reach a compromise....here we are 3 days later and are in a stalemate. No agreement has been reached. I have played the median in  the disagreement and given them several options..but no one has bent.  I feel like one is the House of Representatives and the other is the Senate.... of course I know I could be the President in the situation and not gain congressional approval and buy school clothes with the card.