Packing for a trip

Busy packing for a cruise to the Caribbean. It's so hard to decide what to take when your leaving the comfort of your own closet! Here in my closet is everything I need or want - but how does one decide which of these things should come with me. Of course all of my clothing seems to be the same - I seem to be viewing a sea of black and white linen - I hope this will be OK. White linen shirts, black linen pants - some medium dressy clothing - also black and white, and shoes - mostly black. Oh, this does sound boring!
I seem to have more electronics to pack than anything else. Chargers for the computer, the DVD player, the iPod, and my telephone. DVD disks of movies and a few presents for people for Christmas. It never fails though - there is always something forgotten or something I wished I had brought. And what about all of the things that I might not wear at all! And all of the make-up, cleanser, moisturizer, etc. etc. - there is so much to bring along - the straight iron, the hair brushes - oh boy!
I'm so much happier to stay home with ALL of my clothing, shoes and handbags!

But the worst thing of all is having to leave the really important things at home - my dogs! How I wish I could bring them with me!

Well, it should be fun and I hope that I have everything that I need. I hope that the dogs will be happy with the woman who is watching them - I will miss them so much.

Happy Holidays

Time to MOVE ON!

I think it's time to move on to other things.
A few days away from Christmas and I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday -
I was in New York City for a few days and everyone is busy shopping and enjoying themselves. The weather was unseasonably warm - but that was good for me.
Most of all I want to thank all of my supporters - I received many friendly and supportive emails from people who have bought things from me and a few who even went to the discussion board.
I also think that it was a lively conversation (except for the mean spirited responses) and I have indeed learned some things from those people who had intelligent responses.
So Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone.

An Update

Well, it seems to me that this thing really got out of control.
Yes, it was making me feel bad to think that people would behave in such a small way - but this is one of the emails that I received from an ebayer and it makes me realize that MOST people are very nice and how good it is to meet someone like this....

"Hi, I just wanted to let you know I read all those messages on the Shoes Accessories discussion board and then I read your blog. I feel so bad about how you were treated that I am almost in tears. People can be really mean sometimes. You are really an honest person and your listings are very nice too. From the way you write your blog, you just tell it how it is - you say what you think and the kind of person you are really shines through. So don't let those on the board get to you. No a date code alone will not help authenticate an item. Sometimes it is just the quality of the LV item that lets you KNOW it is authentic. And the date codes rub off, especially on the fabric linings. Lovely wallet by the way!! "

My daughter wanted to know why I didn't respond on the discussion board and post a reply....I explained that it just didn't make sense to try to reason with people like this.

Most of all - thanks to everyone who has supported me
The wallet has been relisted and I know whoever gets it will love it - it's quite wonderful.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The END!

Both my husband and my son-in-law asked me why I just didn’t come up with the date code in the LV wallet. Good question – but for some reason I just didn’t. I guess I should have – finally though I did take a photo of it and posted it on the auction site. I wasn’t happy about pulling at the wallet like that to take the photo – but there was no harm done to the wallet and the picture did get taken.

In the end – these people had the listing removed from ebay because of the link to my blog. OK – I hope they received some satisfaction from that. I will say that the experience has been interesting and extremely hurtful to me. I have been selling on ebay for 3-1/2 years now and have really enjoyed it. Most of the people I have met are really nice – friendly and helpful. Many people have read my blog and have emailed me to tell me how much they enjoy it. That’s a good thing.

The hurtful part has been to find out how nasty people can be – not the people who I have come across who are not honest (I know that there are dishonest people out there), but the other ebayers who work at this the way I do and found it necessary to get my listing removed from ebay. I wouldn’t have done that to anyone. I’ve had some bad experiences on ebay – so I understand people’s distrust – but I have managed to deal with the people who have cheated me. There is no way to deal with people who would do this.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!

Wow - I really made people angry by not wanting to look for the date code - In the end I found it thanks to a very nice, friendly (not everyone was so friendly) ebayer who told me where to look. I don't think I would have found it without her help - so thank you again!

Here are the questions and/or comments from everyone and my responses to them....... if you can - read them all. It is so interesting how people react so differently from one another.....I have never had as big a response to anything that I have ever listed.

Q: Datecode please?
A: Please, the wallet is authentic - I am a very honest ebayer. I don't know where the datecode is - I'm not going to look for it either. I apologize for this. I know that you must be very careful when shopping on ebay (believe me - I KNOW) but this wallet is totally 100% real! Look at the photos - you can see yourself that it is. Yes, you must be smart buying on ebay - but you can see from my feedback that I am indeed one of the very honest ebayers. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Note: Perhaps I wasn’t very nice – oops!

Q: Hello there, what a great looking wallet. Do you by chance know the name or model number of it? I've never seen this style before. Also, would it be possible to get a pic of the date code and a close-up of the LV imprint on front. Sorry for asking, but I recently have been burned on eBay, so I'm overly cautious now. Hope you understand. Kindest regards.
A: Yes, it is a great looking wallet. I can take a photo of the LV on front - I am not wasting my time trying to find the date code. This wallet is authentic - I don't blame ANYONE for being cautious - but read my feedback. I'm an honest ebayer - everyone who buys from me is happy! No one has been burned who has bought from me. Read my blog - http://www.mygirls4.blogspot.com you'll see that I don't sell fake goods. It's really a bit insulting to have people (you're not the first) looking for the date code. I have been told directly by Vuitton (I used to be somewhat friendly with one of the salespeople) that these codes are for their use only and that they don't really mean a thing to others. I will send a photo though of the LV if it is not good enough in my other photos already posted. I will take a look.
Note: Hopefully I’m a little nicer now

Q: Hi, i love the wallet you are selling. I was just wondering why you've priced it so low, not that I really mind. I understand it is excellent condition, but how used is it? thanks.
A: Hi - it is a great wallet - no reason - I try to offer great deals! There is a minor mark on the front - of course you have to realize that sometimes when you price something low you get more people interested in the item.....then the price goes up. In any event - it is a beautiful wallet - quite beautiful - if you choose to bid - GOOD LUCK! Other than the mark - it doesn't look used at all. The wallet is really in very excellent condition. Please check my feedback - I sell wonderful things and people get great value.

Q: Hi. please understand that the date code does mean something to LV afficianados. We know what it means and where it should be, so by asking you where it is and what it reads, and preferably posting a picture of it, we know whether or not it is real. If you understand our trepidation, why can't you indulge our requests? it is a rather simple matter to prove your item is authentic as you claim.
A: Please read my two blogs (the last two) written about this. http://www.mygirls4.blogspot.com This wallet is real - I am not going to start pulling at the wallet to find the date code AND take a photo of it. I'm sure it's there - it's a fabulous and REAL wallet. I did give the gal who asked the photo of the LV on the front as this is an easy photo to take. Look at my photos - if you know Vuitton (and I'm sure that you do) you will know that the wallet is real. Please read those last two blogs - perhaps you'll enjoy them and want to go back to the archives to read some of the older ones. I LOVE EBAY and I LOVE MY EBAYERS. I'm a serious and HONEST ebayer. Enjoy the holidays - have fun everyday......bye B.....
Note: Just for the record – that datecode really does not prove that the wallet is authentic (as I have learned today from other ebayers – it seems that the fakes have datecodes too)

Q: Unfortunately you have answered my question. You will not waste your time looking for the date code. I must say I will not waste my time bidding on your auction, because you will not take the time to find the date code. You are incorrect when you say that it means nothing to anyone other than the LV sa. It tells us a lot. I read your blog, and your I'm honest unfortunately in this day & age words are not good enough, people need the 'facts', need to see the truth. Maybe you can find a minute or two to look for the date code. I know you are going to lose a lot of bidders if you cannot produce it. There is already talk about it on a message board. So news is going to be traveling. Happy Holidays.
A: Ahhh-now don't get yourself all up in an uproar. First, check my feedback-I'm an honest and happy ebayers. My buyers do like me and I love them. Second - please read my last two blogs (soon to be 3 last blogs) about this AND I'm taking the wallet to work with me today to take a look and find the date code - since it is more important to people than I would have thought. We do learn something each day. What I like most about this is that I've gotten people in a bit of an uproar and that is good! It's fun and perhaps it's changed my mind about certain things. I appreciate that - I appreciate you and all of the other ebayers who feel this strongly. GOOD! So check my blog http://www.mygirls4.blogspot.com and by this evening I will have all of the irate emails up - hopefully will have found the date code and most of all - hope that you will still be my friend! HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY NEW YEAR – B
Note: oh boy! They’re telling on me!

Q: Hi, you may have realized that without the date code that authenticity cannot be certain. If you look under the bill hold area near the seam you should find the date code. Would you mind providing it? The date code matters to anyone purchasing an LV item, not just store clerks. Thanks.
A: OK OK - you all win - here is the photo of the date code.....please read my blog....http://www.mygirls4.blogspot.com - your email will probably be there too. I appreciate all of the ebayers out there who want this number.....HAPPY HOLIDAYS – B
Note: again – this just does not prove that the wallet is real - but it is....and it is pretty wonderful

Q: I saw that you have a few questions about date codes. Whoever told you they are only useful to LV employees is incorrect. Potential buyers want to know how old the wallet is. If you look behind the credit card slots, probably on the right side, it should be stamped there. It's in that spot on my LV PTI wallet. It should be easy to see on that fabric. good luck with your auction.
A: and thank you most of all - because I wasn't going to pull apart the wallet to find it - but it was just where you said. OK OK - you all win - here is the photo of the date code.....please read my blog....http://www.mygirls4.blogspot.com - your email will probably be there too. I appreciate all of the ebayers out there who want this number.....HAPPY HOLIDAYS - B

Q: Where was the wallet purchased? Thanks so much!
A: First she (the owner of the wallet) said this: the lv store in tyson's corner virginia and then I got another email from her: or maybe...neiman's chevy chase. i know i bought the bag at the boutique...I'm glad that she got right back to me. BYE -B

Q: any tears or very obvious signs of use - is this your item - i ask because owners generally take better care of their stuff
A: The wallet is perfect except for the mark that I show in the photos. It was not mine - but my women taken very good of their things. I know all(most) of these women personally and they take very good care of their things. She bought the wallet at a LV boutique.

Q: Are you goofy? Why are you sending everybody to your blog? Its stupid. And its against ebay policy to have it linked to your auctions. How many times do you have to say your honest? People don't buy that line, just because you say its so. My question about the wallet is, do you offer a money back guarantee if its found to be fake? Also, you might want to decide which is the truth..did you purchase it or was it given to you to sell by the lady who had you sell a purse? How can you guarantee authenticity if you did not purchase it?
A: I'm certainly not goofy - I haven't built an excellent reputation by not being honest AND I never said that I purchased the wallet. Also - if you read my auctions you will see that ANYTHING anyone buys from me is returnable FOR ANY REASON. Ebay is fun and people find great items at great prices - I try to be friendly to everyone. The wallet is not fake - period. I send people to my blog because they have really been enjoying it as I have enjoyed writing it. And one of the things that is important is that people do believe I'm honest because they buy from me and come back again and again and again and again. So - put a smile on your face and be happy! :-) It's a great wallet - you're safe buying from me and if you want it - GOOD LUCK BIDDING! Barbara
Note: NO COMMENT!

Q: Hi, reading all the the questions regarding this wallet from potential buyers I can tell your a good sport about this auction. I think your ebay reputation is a better indicator for the authenticity of this wallet rather than that stupid date code. Any LV collector knows that even fake ones (good replica) all have date codes on them and that it doesn't mean anything. There are so many great mirror image replicas out there that even LV employees are having a hard time distinguishing between the two. I think if they can't trust your feedback they should just move on from this auction and buy from another seller and stop harassing you for that date code. I for one really enjoyed reading your blog. Good luck with the auction. ;o)
A: Oh thank you thank you thank you - you seem to be the only one out there who understands me. You're a doll! Happy HOLIDAYS! Barbara - you don't think I'm goofy!!!!!
Note: (I sound a little like Sally Fields - that's if you're old enough to remember THAT)

Q: nice to see you have corrected yourself. although that is nice, remember you are in the business of selling, being nice helps a lot.
A: Well, I do learn something new everyday - and although I am very stubborn (I don't want to be) I realized (with the help of many ebayers) that it was time to give in because many people REALLY wanted that number - it was important though that that one person told me where to look). Generally I am very nice - I really enjoy what I'm doing here on ebay. Maybe I was feeling grouchy! Gotta watch that! Have a good evening and enjoy your holidays!

I must say - this whole thing has been a little exhausting - and I don't think it is over yet......

The LV Date Code

Received this nice email from someone.........regarding my previous blog:

"The date code thing is tiring but a legitimate inquiry. The LV salesperson who claimed that the numbers didn't mean anything was either saying what she was told to say or just being dishonest. The numbers do indeed represent a date. The date code was never intended to be something that the consumer was even aware of. That is why on many items it is very, very difficult to locate. The letters and numbers represent the origin and the month and year when that exact piece was created. The problem with inexperienced LV buyers is that this should not be the ONLY indicator as to whether the item is authentic. That is why the number is such a "secret" anyway. The counterfeiters take the real numbers and put them on their fake crap. Seasoned owners of LV know where to find the date code and also know exactly what it's supposed to look like. Sometimes, depending on the item, it is imprinted into the material of the lining, sometimes it is printed on the material of the lining. And as far as some items not having it, every item that is made now has a date code. Although, it may be impossible to find. Because as I stated earlier, it was meant for the factories to verify origin and birth date (like if one was returned for repair) not for us ebayers to use as verification to authenticity.

I sometimes ask for it if I am curious as to the age of the item.

Anyway, I just thought that you would appreciate the information. I am with you though, enough already. Some of these people are impossible!!!"

Now - I agree with what this gal has to say overall, BUT I am a pretty well seasoned Vuitton owner - I have had many over the years and all of them have been purchased either at a Vuitton Boutique, Saks Fifth Avenue or Bloomingdales. I have no idea where the date code might be in any of the many handbags, shoes, etc. that I have from Vuitton and have never even thought to look. Of course that is probably because I know that the merchandise is real and wouldn't have thought to look for it. So - as a seller of some Vuitton items for various people - I still don't know where the numbers are and I am not going to start pulling apart something to find it. If Vuitton has made these numbers so difficult to find - as a consumer it should be hard to find AND perhaps impossible to take a photo of it.

I think that what the salesperson was referring to the fact that for the owner of the item - it is not really that important. As a Vuitton salesperson - of course they would know all about it and where to find it - but for me as a seller of "used" merchandise or merchandise given to my by people, I can't take apart this wallet to try to find this number for someone. I could probably rip the wallet trying to find it and especially taking a photo of it. I also understand that the fakes will have numbers inside theirs too! As a seller I feel that I have the responsibility to know whose things I am selling and ask them the important questions as to the item's authenticity. I definitely do that and as a buyer of many Vuitton item I have a pretty good idea of what kind of quality I am looking at.

I guess I feel that it is more important for the buyer to know who they are buying from than for them to ask me to start searching for this date code AND taking a photo of it. I don't feel that way about the Chanel numbers (and of course the fakes have those too) - but I do feel that that little white rectangle with the matching numbers to the card is an important photo to take and if it is not there - a pretty sure thing that the item is not real. But having to "search" for this date code doesn't seem to make sense to me. I also feel that as a crazy "bag lady" I also have a pretty good feel when I am looking at a real bag and a fake bag. Chanel's might be the hardest to detect AND they also sell all kinds of "designer" bags in Turkey at the fairs that have all the names in them. So I totally respect a buyer's questions - but the "date code" thing with the Vuittons doesn't seem (to me anyway) the real answer as to whether a bag or wallet is real.

OK - let's beat that dead horse - oh THAT is such a terrible expression!

I did receive a Balenciaga bag from someone. It sure looked good to me - I have never owned one personally but have sold many for someone else. I know that this person only buys real ones and therefore have been confident selling them. But the last one that I got really looked good to me- but I asked the gal where she bought it and she told me "ebay" - well, with help from another ebayer was given info as to how to check if a Balenciaga was real or fake. It was FAKE! So as a seller - it is my job to do my detective work before listing anything like this.

Ahhhh- that's it - no more on the date codes (unless someone has some more interesting info pertaining to this subject).

Should I be so annoyed?

Probably not! Perhaps I'm just tired..... but first I received this question regarding a Louis Vuitton wallet that I have listed. It's a great Yellow Epi with wonderful purple lining. It came from the gal who sent me the matching handbag that I sold some time ago. It was a great bag - I guess she should have sent me both things at once - but OK.....

This was the first question: "datecode?" Yes, that was the entire question - but that's OK - I understand it.....this person wants to know what the datecode in the wallet is. I assume this person thinks this will tell her if the wallet is real or not. About a year ago I asked a salesperson at Vuitton about these datecodes and was told that they mean nothing - they only have meaning to Vuitton - also, they are not in all of their merchandise and this is NOT the way to determine if the item is authentic or not. One thing I do know though - that is this - this wallet is authentic - there is no question about it. I know the person who bought it and sent it on to me - she would not buy a fake - also - in this case you know that it is real - there is just no question. I guess I will add some photos....you'll see for yourself. But I wasn't very nice about her request for the datecode. I am wrong to be this way. Anyone who shops on ebay must be very cautious. I have talked about this before.

Then I received the next question regarding this item - immediately after the first one.... "Hello there, what a great looking wallet. Do you by chance know the name or model number of it? I've never seen this style before. Also, would it be possible to get a pic of the date code and a close-up of the LV imprint on front? My email is (email address removed). Sorry for asking, but I recently have been burned on eBay, so I'm overly cautious now. Hope you understand. Kindest regards"



Then I got really annoyed. Poor thing - it really wasn't her fault - but it's what I have been telling you all along. YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL when shopping on ebay. But I don't think that this is what these people should be doing. Annoying the seller with silly questions. I did send her a photo of the LV on the front (a close up - to me that was a fair request).


The way to get a feeling about the item you are looking to buy.....

Look at the photos very carefully - hopefully if you are going to be buying Vuitton on ebay you have a pretty good idea of what a Vuitton should look like. Ask for more photos if you feel that there are not enough or that there are different things you would like to see.

Check the seller out - see what kind of items the seller is selling.

Check the seller's feedback carefully - if you check my feedback you will see that people are really happy with what they buy from me. To me this is very important when I am buying something. That the buyer is totally satisfied with the seller and the item.

Check the seller's return policy - I don't understand "ALL SALES FINAL" - why does a seller think that a person should buy a very expensive item (practically blind) and not be able to return it if they are unhappy. I offer to take anything back. I will not return shipping costs unless the item is not as described. BUT why would I think that you should just buy it and keep it even if you are unhappy with it.

Luckily I have had very few things returned - very few! Probably can count them on one hand. Frankly I don't mind - if you've spent $500 on a sweater and it doesn't fit - why should you have to keep it. If the color didn't show up good enough in the photo - you should be able to return it. I try to describe things as well as I can to avoid this - but I realize that it can happen.

Check out the items that this seller has been selling. Sometimes you can see that the person is just selling things from her own closet. A Vuitton bag, A Bottega, A Chanel, etc. etc. - she has lots of wonderful things in her closet and is doing a clean out. To me - this is the best person you can buy from. She is happy to sell them and move them on and she has great things and very often is selling them for great prices.

BUT if you see that this seller is selling tons of Vuitton, or any other high end handbag - beware - check to see where they are shipping the bags from - Hong Kong, China, etc. - chances are they are FAKES! (Good chance)-

You really have to be a bit of a detective - you have to really look at the little hints that would give it away.

So, I'm sorry that I was so short with my two questioners - I shouldn't have been - but I do my work, they have to do theirs! I did send the photo as she requested and tried to explain that the datecode is not what they should be looking for.

Guess I can't always be SO NICE! Ahhhh - maybe I need a good nights sleep!

Check out my items that I am selling - perhaps you're interested in this great wallet. THANKS! I'll try to be more patient!

My ebay items

Is this my size?

I wish they would just take the size tickets OUT of the clothing!
"Is this my size?"
I say - PLEASE - just look at it - does it look like it would fit you?
Come on - we know when we look at something if there is or is not a possibility.

One of the problems (and I think I've talked about this before) is that some people don't even want to try something on if it says size 8 or 10 or 12. They only want to be a 6 or smaller - if it says anything bigger - they won't even try it on. But one company's size 6 and another's can be completely different - we must see ourselves as we are and be happy with just that! (or - go on a diet!)

I have a sweater listed as a size SMALL - someone asks me if it is a size 42? Now what does difference does it make - Small/42/44/Medium - PLEASE, I list the measurements - that is what is important. Is the bust a 36? Are you a 36? THEN - there you go! Check the rest of the measurements - length, etc. It will fit - if those are your measurements - but whether it says SMALL or 42 doesn't really matter. That should really just be a guage.

Am I too impatient with people? I guess sometimes - sorry!

Even the same company's size small can be different from one style to another - so please - CHECK THE MEASUREMENTS!

Those DAMN PILLS!

No - not your prescriptions! The PILLS on our fabulous cashmere sweaters! After all - after spending a ton on a sweater we just don't want to see those little pills! How awful! But - you know what - it doesn't matter how much you have spent on that sweater - it's going to happen AND if you are carrying a handbag on your shoulder and you're not wearing a coat - it's going to be really bad where the bag rubbed along it! Sorry!

Sometimes people assume because they have paid over $1000 for a cashmere sweater they will be saved from those little devils - but no - it's going to happen no matter what. SO - we have to deal with it - first - you're better off washing your cashmeres in the sink or in the machine if you have a good one with a gentle cycle - the dry cleaner is really not the answer for our good knits. I like to send mine to the dry cleaner at the beginning of each season so that they can "de-pill" them for me. But however good they do - it's not good enough.

You really have to do it yourself - sorry!

You can buy that battery operated thing from a place like Linens and Things or I just found this online THE STONE - it looks interesting and I think I will buy one. For $5.95 it seems like a good deal - let's order it right now!

Here is a site that I found that might be helpful for all of us - it tells us how to wash and care for our cashmeres along with information about things we can buy to remove those lousy little pills! I am going to print it out for myself - perhaps you will find it useful too! CASHMERE CARE

This is an email that I received from someone who bought a fabulous $1500 100% cashmere shawl for $300.......

"I received the shawl and sent it to the cleaners. I hope to enjoy it. I was sorry to see that there was no tag, although I believe it is cashmere.

It was a bit pilly when it arrived, so I hope I can restore it to a better condition.

Anyway, thank you and I wish you all the best."

First - I really appreciate that she was friendly - BUT she has no concerns - it is indeed 100% cashmere - it was a fabulous deal and a really beautiful piece. She will be happy with it - totally. But what I don't understand is why someone would pay $300 for something that cost at least $1500 when new (and believe me, this was in great condition) and think that it should be in BRAND NEW condition when she buys it. Come on - you know when you buy something like this on ebay that it has been worn - it is not BRAND NEW! It is in the condition as described - "very good condition" and that you would want to clean it - NO MATTER WHAT! After all - someone else did wear it - this was certainly made clear from the very beginning.

So - she got a great deal - it is a beautiful shawl - 100% cashmere (excellent quality) and will really be LIKE NEW after it is cleaned and de-pilled - but let me make it clear - the pills were not bad - it was like any of our things....just needs a tiny bit of work.

So do me a favor - when you buy something on ebay and you know that it is not new - don't expect it to be! Know what you're buying and the condition BEFORE you bid - that way you won't be disappointed. NEW WITH TAGS means BRAND NEW - if it's not - please don't expect it to be. AND - when you buy a $1500 shawl (or anything else for that matter) for $300 - realize that you got a great deal and BE HAPPY!

Please check out my listings on ebay! ilovemygirls3

THANKS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Christmas in New York

Christmas in New York City

There’s no question that Christmas in NYC is really special!
There is a huge lit up snowflake in the air at 57th Street & Fifth Avenue – at night – it’s totally amazing!

The tree is Rockefeller Center is great – as is the ice skating rink and all of the restaurants around it. My daughter and I had lunch at the Sea Grill today and it was great! Dinner at Balthazar was even better!

We ran around doing all kinds of errands – many of them Christmas and Holiday related. Definitely fun!

BUT – I really find the excess of it all just too much. We stopped at Victoria’s Secret (I haven’t been in there in years) and I just couldn’t believe my eyes. We went to the one at 34th Street & 7th Avenue. It’s HUGE! Really HUGE! I can’t even imagine how they get all of those Christmas decorations hung up from what seems to be the sky! And the cost of that decorating must be enormous! There were so many people there – all buying this STUFF! There was a box you could buy for $10 (I guess you buy it to put a gift card in) – it was silver, it closed with a magnet and had a little pink teddy bear in it! Now – please tell me – WHO NEEDS THIS? The gift card – well, you can buy yourself some pretty underwear – but the box with the teddy? Another THING!

Look, I’m as guilty as the next guy – I have more STUFF than lots of people I know (which is why I started selling on ebay) – but I’m really beginning to understand that we just don’t need so much STUFF.

They actually had a gray flannel star with a hole in it for what I guess was a small bottle of perfume! Does this make sense to you?

Sorry – I hate to be the old SCROOGE at Christmas time – but it just seems like people spend tons of money of lots of stuff that no one really needs or wants!

Luckily for me, I really do not buy many gifts. My husband’s birthday is December 31st – so he gets a combined gift – I already gave my daughter’s their presents and I have one all packed and ready for my son-in-law. THAT’S IT – oh, and something for my mother-in-law! So my shopping is done.

BUT Christmas is beautiful in New York and I’m sure in many other places as well. I wish the war will end and that our boys and girls can come home – and then perhaps Christmas won’t seem as silly to me! It would just be nice for the world to be a better place – what better Christmas gift would that be for everyone?