84. Ebay in Canada
Selling on Ebay in the states was a fairly easy skill to learn. Once I set up accounts on Ebay and Paypal and skimmed the instructions for listing items, I was on my way to a cool $500. Ebay in Canada works exactly the same... until you start adding up the shipping prices at the Post.
I keep a running tally of the US vs. Canada and to the detriment of my American pride, Canada usually wins, but... Canada Post has nothing on USPS. Besides the fact that Canada has no such "neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night" motto that encourages postal workers to do their job in a timely fashion, they are also lacking flat rate mailers.
In the US I could list an item on Ebay and know exactly how much shipping would cost... In Canada it is anyone's guess and 9 times out of 10, mine was wrong. It was hard to price items competitively and not lose profit to shipping so after a total of $83 earned and 8 less items in my house, I am done. I may list a few more items when we schedule a trip to the US and I can take advantage of those fantastic flat rates, but until then, my Ebay selling days are over.
Saturday, February 27
Monday, February 22
mr. fitz bakes bread
For real!
I gave him a few instructions and he set to work. It was delicious... and it was gone before I ever thought to take a picture of the finished loaf. Next time.
Thursday, February 18
two strikes
... on the 101 list!
21. Experience a Fitz Family Christmas
Our plan was to leave after Christmas Eve service and make the five hour trek east, making our estimated time of arrival 12am on Christmas Day. Not the most ideal arrangement, but any inconvenience was worth spending the holiday with family. The week prior was a whirlwind of work, weather watching, last minute shopping, and cleaning. (Obviously... when isn't cleaning on my to do list?) I had every day - every hour - planned out to maximize efficiency. Tuesday the boss threw a (good) wrench in our plans. He suggested we leave earlier on Thursday to avoid driving in pitch dark. Sweet! Wednesday morning the boss called again. He said we should leave at noon, like 12pm Wednesday because of the weather. Eeee! I was ecstatic to have 36 hours extra to spend with the family, but my carefully planned week was a wash. We prioritized the to do list, packed our bags, and jumped in the car.
What should have been an uneventful few hours in the car turned into a harrowing drive through a blinding blizzard. It snowed for the first four hours before turning to rain. I have never been so thankful to drive in the rain! As night time fell, the precipitation turned back into blinding snow. I nearly cried when we saw the exit for our suburb; I wanted to park the car and never drive again.
We never called the family to tell them we were coming early so they were super surprised when we walked in the front door. There was lots of hugs and squealing and phone calls. Phone call no 1 - make plans to visit Sister Two and the kiddos; phone call no. 2 - Sister Eight has a surprise for August... a BABY! Phone call no. 3 - "someone" will pick up Sister Ten from work (ooo... I love surprises!) and phone call no. 4 - Mr. Fitz's bff. We made our rounds through the city and finally crashed at home with family and friends and pop and chips. Pure bliss.
I expected to be running like crazy on Christmas Eve - finishing projects at work, packing, cleaning - but we were with family and we were in the city. We slept in, ate cinnamon rolls, watching television, held the baby, played video games and shopped... well, I shopped. I needed to finish Mr. Fitz's stocking so I meandered through the mall, checked every store for Christmas pajamas, and finally selected the last few items needed. We stayed up into the wee hours of the morning wrapping presents and reminiscing about Fitz Christmases. (The siblings reminisced and I listened, fascinated by the idea of more than three people opening presents around the tree.)
Christmas morning was magical! (It's always been magical, but this was a whole new experience!) There were so many people and presents and shreds of paper... I loved all the excitement and energy. We lazed around and enjoy our gifts (20. Wii Sports Resort... thanks Mum and Dad!); watched movies and napped. I enjoyed spending the whole day in one house not running from party to party... different than my Christmases past, but the new experience was nice.
Boxing Day was pleasant - more time with family and good food - but sad because my first Fitz Family Christmas was over. We packed our car and headed west... back to the tiny apartment and to work and to life in the little town.
21. Experience a Fitz Family Christmas
Our plan was to leave after Christmas Eve service and make the five hour trek east, making our estimated time of arrival 12am on Christmas Day. Not the most ideal arrangement, but any inconvenience was worth spending the holiday with family. The week prior was a whirlwind of work, weather watching, last minute shopping, and cleaning. (Obviously... when isn't cleaning on my to do list?) I had every day - every hour - planned out to maximize efficiency. Tuesday the boss threw a (good) wrench in our plans. He suggested we leave earlier on Thursday to avoid driving in pitch dark. Sweet! Wednesday morning the boss called again. He said we should leave at noon, like 12pm Wednesday because of the weather. Eeee! I was ecstatic to have 36 hours extra to spend with the family, but my carefully planned week was a wash. We prioritized the to do list, packed our bags, and jumped in the car.
What should have been an uneventful few hours in the car turned into a harrowing drive through a blinding blizzard. It snowed for the first four hours before turning to rain. I have never been so thankful to drive in the rain! As night time fell, the precipitation turned back into blinding snow. I nearly cried when we saw the exit for our suburb; I wanted to park the car and never drive again.
We never called the family to tell them we were coming early so they were super surprised when we walked in the front door. There was lots of hugs and squealing and phone calls. Phone call no 1 - make plans to visit Sister Two and the kiddos; phone call no. 2 - Sister Eight has a surprise for August... a BABY! Phone call no. 3 - "someone" will pick up Sister Ten from work (ooo... I love surprises!) and phone call no. 4 - Mr. Fitz's bff. We made our rounds through the city and finally crashed at home with family and friends and pop and chips. Pure bliss.
I expected to be running like crazy on Christmas Eve - finishing projects at work, packing, cleaning - but we were with family and we were in the city. We slept in, ate cinnamon rolls, watching television, held the baby, played video games and shopped... well, I shopped. I needed to finish Mr. Fitz's stocking so I meandered through the mall, checked every store for Christmas pajamas, and finally selected the last few items needed. We stayed up into the wee hours of the morning wrapping presents and reminiscing about Fitz Christmases. (The siblings reminisced and I listened, fascinated by the idea of more than three people opening presents around the tree.)
Christmas morning was magical! (It's always been magical, but this was a whole new experience!) There were so many people and presents and shreds of paper... I loved all the excitement and energy. We lazed around and enjoy our gifts (20. Wii Sports Resort... thanks Mum and Dad!); watched movies and napped. I enjoyed spending the whole day in one house not running from party to party... different than my Christmases past, but the new experience was nice.
Boxing Day was pleasant - more time with family and good food - but sad because my first Fitz Family Christmas was over. We packed our car and headed west... back to the tiny apartment and to work and to life in the little town.
Sunday, February 14
so loved
23 things I love... one for each year of life.
1. to-do lists
2. cable television
3. our Fitz family
4. drives to the city
5. making bread
6. Mr. Fitz's dances
7. staying up late
8. sleeping in
9. my little apartment
10. magazines
11. mom and dad
12. vacations
13. hope for the future
14. knitting
15. taking pictures
16. a hard day's work
17. organization
18. friends - near and far
19. writing
20. blankets
21. sunshine
22. education
23. Mr. Fitz
1. to-do lists
2. cable television
3. our Fitz family
4. drives to the city
5. making bread
6. Mr. Fitz's dances
7. staying up late
8. sleeping in
9. my little apartment
10. magazines
11. mom and dad
12. vacations
13. hope for the future
14. knitting
15. taking pictures
16. a hard day's work
17. organization
18. friends - near and far
19. writing
20. blankets
21. sunshine
22. education
23. Mr. Fitz
Monday, February 8
and it's monday again
Continuing with Monday's theme of cleaning, I have created another schedule. I love schedules... and competition... and blogs. Obviously we have happening times in the north.
So these are my twenty minute targets meant to prevent spending a whole day getting our house in order...
Sunday - Spare room
- After spend hours in there cleaning up the mess that started well before the holidays, I am committed to a quick clean once a week so it does not get out of hand again.
Monday - Organization
- There area always places that need touched up. I'll pick a new project each week.
Tuesday - Refrigerator/Garbage
- Clean out old food and collect all the small garbage cans for garbage pick up on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday - Bathroom
- I am embarrassed at how disgustingly dirty our bathroom is after just a few days, but since it is just the two of us I cannot convince myself to clean more than once a week.
Thursday - Floors
- Sweep, vacuum, mop if necessary.
Friday - Food Prep
- Friday is also grocery day, so I divide meat into individual portions, cut up vegetables, shred cheese... anything that can be done ahead makes cooking faster and easier during the week.
Saturday - Laundry
- Clothes get done throughout the week, but this is a dedicated time for sheets and towels.
Despite the past week being a bit stressful, we were able to keep up with the daily four. I love getting up to a clean house, starting a new day without facing yesterday's messes. It's a nice feeling... you should try it.
So these are my twenty minute targets meant to prevent spending a whole day getting our house in order...
Sunday - Spare room
- After spend hours in there cleaning up the mess that started well before the holidays, I am committed to a quick clean once a week so it does not get out of hand again.
Monday - Organization
- There area always places that need touched up. I'll pick a new project each week.
Tuesday - Refrigerator/Garbage
- Clean out old food and collect all the small garbage cans for garbage pick up on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday - Bathroom
- I am embarrassed at how disgustingly dirty our bathroom is after just a few days, but since it is just the two of us I cannot convince myself to clean more than once a week.
Thursday - Floors
- Sweep, vacuum, mop if necessary.
Friday - Food Prep
- Friday is also grocery day, so I divide meat into individual portions, cut up vegetables, shred cheese... anything that can be done ahead makes cooking faster and easier during the week.
Saturday - Laundry
- Clothes get done throughout the week, but this is a dedicated time for sheets and towels.
Despite the past week being a bit stressful, we were able to keep up with the daily four. I love getting up to a clean house, starting a new day without facing yesterday's messes. It's a nice feeling... you should try it.
Thursday, February 4
101 in 1001
I thrive on challenges. Since people aren't lining up to compete against me, I have to compete with myself... always striving to be better, faster, and more efficient. It was a match made in heaven the day I discovered 101 in 1001 - create a list of 101 things to do in the next 1001 days. I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning writing and revising my list. I set it aside for a couple days and then revised it again.
On September 1, 2009 I embarked on a journey only to be side tracked by life in a few short weeks. Since the hectic pace of the early winter months has slowed, I decided it was a good idea to revisit my list. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had accomplished several goals without conscious effort. It was encouraging to scratch those few items off the list as I recommitted myself to this challenge.
To keep myself on track, I am dedicating Thursdays as 101 updates... the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want to succeed and I want to remember the journey.
To keep myself on track, I am dedicating Thursdays as 101 updates... the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want to succeed and I want to remember the journey.
Monday, February 1
the daily grind
The inspiration for today's topic comes from one of my all time favorite sites - Totally Together Journal. This lady has it together; I can only dream of being as organized and awesome as her. She constantly references The Daily Seven - the must-do-everyday chores that keep her family and house running efficiently. While I am not chasing kids around and only clean a two bedroom apartment, I am realizing the need for my own daily chore list to keep the Fitz house running well.
1) Make bed first thing in the morning.
This has a dual purpose - A) it makes our bedroom look neat, and B) I won't crawl back into bed if it is already made.
2) Keep sink and counters clean.
Our kitchen, dining room, and living room are all one big area, defined only by furniture. I do not want dirty dishes to be staring me in the face when I (or unexpected guests) first walk in the front door.
3) Pick up clothes.
Our clothes have a magical way of escaping the closet and flinging themselves haphazardly all over our apartment. I need to corral them at least once a day - clean clothes in the closet, dirty clothes in the basket. On laundry days, clothes need to be folded and put away; no more grabbing outfits from the dryer.
4) Ten minute clean up before bed.
Each day is a fresh start. I do not want to waste time cleaning up yesterday's mess.
This is my first week practicing The Fitz Daily Four. Come back next Monday to read about our successes and failures!
1) Make bed first thing in the morning.
This has a dual purpose - A) it makes our bedroom look neat, and B) I won't crawl back into bed if it is already made.
2) Keep sink and counters clean.
Our kitchen, dining room, and living room are all one big area, defined only by furniture. I do not want dirty dishes to be staring me in the face when I (or unexpected guests) first walk in the front door.
3) Pick up clothes.
Our clothes have a magical way of escaping the closet and flinging themselves haphazardly all over our apartment. I need to corral them at least once a day - clean clothes in the closet, dirty clothes in the basket. On laundry days, clothes need to be folded and put away; no more grabbing outfits from the dryer.
4) Ten minute clean up before bed.
Each day is a fresh start. I do not want to waste time cleaning up yesterday's mess.
This is my first week practicing The Fitz Daily Four. Come back next Monday to read about our successes and failures!
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