Christmas Is Coming Soon!

About 15 years ago, I started writing a book called “The 12 Months of Christmas.” The idea was to share helpful hints for keeping the holiday season fun, creative, affordable, and stress-free. I never finished that book, but now I’m going to share my hints here, one-a-day, through the month of November.

If you have any favorite Christmas ideas to share, please post them as comments. I'll add them to my list and pass them on.
Here is a vintage Christmas book, listed by Callmemomo at OLA.

A poem, some might say

This is how I came about writing the following poem which has been published. My deceased husband and I were on a trip. I was driving the motor home as he did not like to drive it. I loved to drive it. We towed a hot pink tracker behind it and I had a lot of fun with that little buggy.

We were driving down the road one night ( I like driving at night) and we were in Colorado. Phil had been sleeping and when he woke up I was driving and writing on an envelope I found on the dash. He was horrified that I did not have both hands on the wheel. That is one reason I like to drive at night.....less traffic plus he slept a lot LOL. He yelled at me to pull over. I did so and he wanted to know what I was writing and I told him it was about things I see. Long story short on that one. He stayed awake and I continued to drive but not write while I did so.

The finished product is posted below. Now I thought it was funny. I was not serious when I wrote it. I have been asked if I would let a band make a song out of it and I think to myself "what are you on?" LOL I do not think anyone in their right mind would want to touch this as a song. I was wrong.

And now the poem

ROADKILL:

Roadkill, fire up the grill
if you won't tell, I'll cool it to sell
we'll get us a stand by the side of the road
go out every night for another load.

Fry up some taters, bake some beans
cook up a mess of colored greens
put it on a plate with all those things
and tell 'em it's chicken without wings.

Roadkill it's free game, if we beat the buzzards to it
we'll give it a name. put it on the menu and
put it on a plate and never tell the customers
what they just ate.

Help me with this pig, it sure is fat
get us a lot of meat outta that
it'll be special just for Sunday
freeze the leftovers first thing Monday.

Go over there and get that tire tread
we'll hide it tween 2 pieces of bread
and get that frog, we'll flatten it's head
put it in some blatter, fry it in fat
tell them folks they just gotta try that.

Now we don't want no armadillo,
I heard tell that'll kill ya
we want our eaters coming back
not carried out in a body sack.

Author-Jo Ann M. Cathey
copywrite 2000

Now you know why I did not put it in the talent section. I was floored when it got published and I was even more floored when a band wanted to make it a song. I did not give them the rights to it as it was just stuff that came across my mind while we were driving across the US.

After you read that I hope you realize that I am still that same person, just a couple of years older. Some things I think are funny others might think just ain't right. People say you are as young as you act...well then I ain't gettin'old cuz I love funny stuff too much.

Thank you for taking your time to read my blog. Please feel free to leave me a comment and I promise you if I ever invite you to dinner it will not be after we just took a trip.

Want to see what I sell? Visit http://ola,com/store/chateycathey and remember I list different items at different times so you may want to add me to your favorites. Or maybe not but then you never know what I am going to write about tomorrow.

Take the challenge: join OLAteamblog and join in the November challenge

LIFE IS SHORT, LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST AND HAVE FUN AT IT

Why I am here

The answer to that is a funny one. And I so wanted to be a team blogger. SO I went to OLA team blog through the wrong way and I had 4 blogs and none was an OLAteam blog. I actually could not find my blog I left so KornKuntry found it after a couple of days and informed me where I was. LOL

Now I already know who will be laughing at me but that is OK. We were all there at one time.

I enjoy reading Supergrannies blogs and funny musings so much. I do not think I will be like that but I sure hope she keeps it up. There are others also. I still laugh when I read about the toilet paper an OLA member left.

So back to why I am here. I am here because I want to be here and be part of the team bolg. I want to accept the November challenge. I want to read blogs from other OLA members. I want to share some things from my life with my OLA partners. Some may want to read them and some may not but either way they will be out there.

There is a thread for OLA HAS TALENT. It ask for us to list if we have talent, ever been published, and other subjects. I never posted anything there but I read about others who have talent. I don't know why I did not want to post there that I have been published. Actually I have been published three times for poems that I wrote. I will post one of them here tomorrow along with the way it came to be.

I am anxious to post this blog now to make sure I did it right.

I owe this Blog to Cindy for all the help she gave me. Took time out of her day to chat with me on the phone and help me get rid of the other blogs I could not even find LOL.

OLA has so many special people who are so ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it and if they don't have the answer they will send you in the right direction. 

Since this is a test blog, I am going to attempt to show just one of the items I have in my store. If I do this right and on my own, I will be amazed at myself LOL. Then Korny look out LOL

BEAUTIFUL MILK GLASS BASKET WITH BOW HANDLE REDUCED PRICE

http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=auction:view_item&auction_id=1444642


Okey dokey then. Going to publish this and see what happens.

If it worked come back tomorrow for more of my thoughts and travels

Hoops Yoyo Wallet Hallmark Pink

Look at these very cut Hoops&Yoyo Wallets distributed by Hallmark. I couldn't find the year they may have been released but these two are in great condition.


Hoops & Yoyo Green

Hoops Yoyo Wallet Hallmark Pink

Toilet Paper

Toilet Paper!

Do Manufacturers actually think we were born yesterday? With, maybe, NOT an observant bone in our bodies! I have been buying Quilted Northern Toilet Tissue for a very long time because when I started buying it there was quality and the price per square sheet was the best compared to all the other brands. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still like the quality of the toilet tissue and still purchase Northern.

It is just that I really resent the CON. Go up on the price, that is normal and I can handle that. Being up front and honest about a price change doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that whoever works for Northern Marketing thinks they are slick when they get double the money by making the cardboard roll, that holds the tissue, larger too! I measured an older cardboard tube and it measured approximately 44 centimeters then I measured the new cardboard tube and that measured approximately 47 centimeters!

In my book they may not be getting double the total price (I haven’t measured the sheets lost.) but to give less per roll and go up on the cost sure isn’t hurting their net profit!

Example: Back in the day there used to be small, medium and large eggs. Manufacturers realized that the small eggs weren’t selling as well so they reclassified the eggs to medium, large and extra-large. And then came the JUMBO. Ha ha ha, a chicken can only lay an egg just so big. Get it any bigger and you will get a goose egg!!! Then think about it…. What happened to the small egg? They are still there but now they are called mediums. When was the last time you saw “small” eggs for sale at a grocery?

Think about it big manufacturing boys, we buyers do know what your up to. I would just prefer you be upfront and honest and just put the higher price on your products. Don’t use the little increment cons.

Don’t get me started on canned products, those guys are just as bad! BP is going down now.

I'm sharing this portion of my blog with you. Have a great day.

Scrabble Tile Pendant - White with Sparkles - Breast Cancer Awareness

October is
National Breast
Cancer Awareness
Month!

This pendant is made using a recycled Scrabble tile!

This auction is for one pendant,
with the pink ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness symbol,
on a white with sparkles background.
Great for supporting a loved one!

It has been crafted on a tile featuring the letter "A".
Pendant only! No chain or cord is included.

Find out how this pendant can be yours!

~ FleaPirates ~

at

OnlineAuction.com

Noritake China Derry 5931 Oval Serving Bowl

We are offering several pieces in Noritake China. The pattern is called Derry 5931.

This pattern was produced between 1958 and 1966. It is now discontinued.

The china is a classic white with a platinum band. Simple, yet elegant.

These pieces have been gently used but are in wonderful condition.

If this isn't what you are looking for, please stop by our store Korn Kountry Treasures!

We have so many other things to show you!

We are certain you will find something you like!

And while you're at it, check out our other sellers on OLA.com!

You'll be glad you did!!

Lenox Springtime Frolic figurine kittens

Lenox Springtime Frolic figurine kittens

OnlineAuction.com Chat Room

Not everyone using OnlineAuction.com realizes the wealth of information that is made available 24 hours a day on the OLA Chat Forum.

We have created a forum dedicated to “How To” Tutorials that were created by our OLA users themselves.  Step by step, our user made tutorials can walk you through things such as, setting up your store categories, how to set up your payment module, how to take a perfect picture for your auction listing,  and much more!

If you can’t find the answer within the tutorials we offer, please post your question(s) in the chat room. You will find there is always someone available and more than happy to help! You can personally send me (Renee) an O-Mail - our personal on site message system. 

You may also contact us at support@onlineauction.com  or call our toll free # 800-900-2828

Aside from tutorials and helpful information, we offer weekly games, such as Terrific Tuesday (weekly), Fantastic Friday (first Friday of each month), and The Scavenger Hunt (once a month).

We also offer monthly contests with Auction Enhancement prizes.

Please ask questions, find answers, interact, explore - visit our OnlineAuction.com Community today! It is also a very good resource, for anyone considering selling at OnlineAuction.com. (It’s FREE to sign up as a Basic Member)

Have a Great Day!

Chat Room: http://www.onlineauction.com/chat/

Registration: https://www.onlineauction.com/beta/register/compare


From our lovely Customer Support Rep, Renee!

Recession Proof Your Budget....How to Afford New Underwear or Clothes

It was last week when I was folding laundry that I noticed the white elastic showing on the waist of my blue underwear and the 'air' holes in the backend.  Guess it's time for some new 'hinder covering'.  I first checked at Online Auction but couldn't find my brand.

I further searched....JC Penney was next...yep, I found them........$18.00 a pair. Were these now special made out of 2000 thread count cotton? Nope. It's gonna take some serious budgeting to come up with enough coins to buy a pair and a spare!

That's truly when it dawned on me......it's true.....the dollar is shrinking....

I have discovered some men's boxers that are new (I bought some for my son-in-law) and they are a bargain......take a look.... $2.99 for 3 pair...Price can't be beat! CLICK HERE to View This Item offered by yogibear66.

Well that takes care of the husband.   What else can I find that will help recession proof my budget.  There is certainly nothing wrong with reusing or re-purposing gently used clothing.  Quite often new clothing can be found at a fraction of the original price.

What to do if you have kids? Check this out... This sweater is new with tags and is ONLY $1.00....CLICK HERE to View This Item being offered by redsbargainbarn.

There are many many more items that are true bargains to be had all over Online Auction.

This is a ladies sweater new with tags that has a starting price of $1.00....CLICK HERE to View This Item offered by vermonter53.

I will be listing a Cabella's Men's Jean Jacket this week that sells for upwards of $60 and I will be listing it for less than $10.00.  Watch for it at Supergrannys Treasures

In your quest to clothe your family don't overlook Online Auction as well as your local thrift stores. Have fun.....start your Christmas shopping now......

Speaking of Christmas Gifts...Online Auction has some works by very talented artists. Here's a couple of examples...handpainted saw by Annimae.... Z'anne of zannesbazaar gives birth to some fine artistic jewelry...this is just one example

Candles, sporting goods, collectible sports cards and coins, pottery, tobacciana, fabric, craft supplies and finished crafts, etc. Forget the traffic and panicky people and shop at home....Online Auction

How about each family member taking $10 or $20 and all take turns shopping at OLA.   Now that would be fun even if they were shopping for the best white elephant gift!  Have fun........................ 

Where is everyone? I'm enjoying some peace and quiet and dabbling at making some new stuff :)

Which Social Media Platform Fits Your Business?

Having an internet presence today is all about sharing. On a personal level, it's about staying in touch with people that have touched your life in the past, keeping up with the activities of your current circle and gathering new friends along the way. For online businesses, it's about transparency and trust. Forging new relationships with potential customers through a social setting, you can let them know ... who you are, what you do, where you operate, how you handle issues when they arise, and why folks should do business with you.

There are many opportunities to share things, like your knowledge, your personality and your products. The list of social media sites is long and diverse, (too lengthy to examine in one blog post), but I think we can all agree that for OnlineAuction.com members, the top contenders are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Blogs. If you are not active in at least one of these sites, you should be! So the question of the day is this: Which Social Media Platform Fits Your Business?

At the risk of sounding corny, I am going to liken Twitter to a large cocktail party, at which you know very few people when you arrive. I've used this analogy before, so bear with me if you've heard it before! Now the theme of this party is that you have to talk in single sentences. (Think Twitter's 140 character count limit.) So as you stand in the middle of the room, you say this, "I like to fish!" Some guy in the right corner of the room hears you and runs over to say, "I like to fish for trout." Another guy in the left corner of the room hears the two of you and runs over to add, "The best trout fishing is on the West Branch of the Delaware River." Before you know it, you've got a whole group of fishing enthusiasts, all talking about trout!

On Twitter, attracting followers is as simple as using the right keyword(s). Conversations develop, and people follow links, merely because they are searching for that topic. So, in the example above, you could share your favorite fishing spots, talk about the lures that have yielded the best results for you, brag about your largest catch, and lead people to your supply of fishing supplies. All accomplished in 140 character tweets.

Facebook operates in a similar fashion, but without the restraints of a 140 character post. In my opinion, it is your Facebook profile that attracts people to you, whether it's a personal profile or a fan page profile. People look for people with similar interests and for businesses that offer the products and services they want and need.

You all have heard me preach before on the value of a Facebook Fan Page, so I'll just say this... take the time to make a fan page for your business. Your friends and family can all follow your fan page if they want to support your business, but your business clients don't necessarily need to know your gaming habits, your family activities, your political affiliation, or what you had for lunch. Think about it.

YouTube is a great way to become an actor, producer and director, all in one shot! The possibilities are endless, and while this site is certainly not the only way to share videos with clients, it is certainly the most popular. Humor is often used successfully, as evidenced by the amount of hilarious videos that go viral on the internet. Video is also a fabulous teaching tool, as well as an opportunity for commercial advertisement.

When you are blogging, you more closely resemble a newspaper columnist. Blog posts are articles. The only interaction you will receive is through your blog's comments, (which you should monitor and respond to).

Didn't we all have a favorite newspaper columnist years ago, when newspapers were still our prime source of newsworthy information? Perhaps you couldn't miss the daily advice touted by Ann Landers. Or perhaps you relished the opportunity to hear your favorite sports-writer wreak havoc on the local team. Maybe you just had to buy that paper to see the latest Blondie comic strip! Whatever the reason, people became loyal followers because they enjoyed reading a regularly timed column. Blogs are the same... you're appealing to readers.

The best part about blogs, from a business standpoint, is that they are ranked very high by the search engines! So in effect, your blog post about a particular product just may have better search results than your auction itself, for the same keywords.

So tell me, Which Social Media Platform Fits Your Business?
Which sites are you using, and which sites have been the most successful for you?

This post is aimed at sellers on any site, or even people managing their own websites.

While I use all of the above sites from time to time, I really enjoy blogging. I've had direct sales from blogging, too! I am so proud of the OLA Team Blog... and I'd really like to see more OLA members take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with their peers at OnlineAuction.com. Interested? Send an omail to FleaPirates. We've got a great team standing by to help you get started.

Gift Idea Under $10

I think everybody loves to experience indulgence, whether it be by shoe shopping, putting butter AND sour cream on our baked potato, or indulging in our once a year dry martini. Here's a sense of indulgence we all would probably enjoy......a Mocha Caramel.....featuring sumptuous mocha swirled with buttery caramel.  Both are complemented by an undertone of Paul Masson Grande Amber VS Brandy to complete the smooth and flavorful experience.

Cream liqueurs are most popularly consumed over ice, but are also delicious mixed into coffee or poured over ice cream. Guess what I've found that would complement a $5-6.00 small bottle of this heavenly Paul Masson Mocha Caramel Brandy? A pair of genuine Paul Masson mini cups that start at only $2.00. CLICK HERE to see the details.


Think about it....a very nice Christmas, Birthday, Congratulations, Etc gift for under $10.00. Take a few moments to browse all my tobacciana, advertising, collectibles, etc at Supergrannys Treasures

This is my invitation to you to visit my blog...CLICK HERE to Read Supergrannys Musings

This is just one of thousands of ideas you can find at Online Auction

OLA Rocks!

Hi all. I finally made it here :)

CDWsGeneralStore

John Derian School Decoupage Plate Signed

John Derian School

John Derian is a professional decoupage artist and has also been a collector of 18th and 19th century paper printed antique documents and letters.

This is just one of the many plates he has created, bringing that "old world" feeling to his craft. This plate is 10" across and in excellent condition. The artist has signed the back.

If this is not what you are looking for, please browse through our store. We have lots of variety for you to choose from!

Korn Kountry Treasures

OLA Halloween Store Decorating Contest

Have you heard?

OLA is having a
Halloween Store Decorating Contest!

This is a great opportunity for OLA Founding Members to show off their creativity and get in the spirit of the season! Jaswood2 created a fantastic tutorial to help members get started. It highlights adding a colorful background, choosing a logo, changing the color of the font and borders, and other clever ideas.

The contest has begun already, and runs through Oct 27th.
There is still time to bring out your inner goblin!

To peak your interest, take a gander at the stores that have already submitted an entry...

Jaswood2
KornKountryTreasures
SuperGranny
FleaPirates
ChateyCathey
FleasField
YogiBear66
DraggonTagger
Aesthetics48

Happy Halloween from all of us at OLA!

M Gschnitzer Wooden Clown Dancing String Toy

Looky.... Looky .... What I found!

A really cute Wooden Clown Dancing String Toy. Something that used to entertain the kids before computers. Now on sale at Jaswood2's Store.

You guessed it, this toy is being sold at OLA.com

Spooooooky Halloween reading with mystery book MYSTERY BOX! Great assortment of suspense, horror and true crime books by authors such as King, Koontz, Masello, Rule, and more...even Edgar Allen Poe! Perfect for curling up on a crunchy pile of leaves next to a blazing jack-o-lantern and sipping some nice warm cider.  You find find this auction in my store - curiocache. www.onlineauction.com/store/curiocache

Halloween Jewelry

I love jewelry, just sayin'.

At OnlineAuction.com, you can find some incredible deals on jewelry,
new, vintage and hand-crafted!

With Halloween approaching, isn't it time to add to your jewelry collection?

Check out these Spooky Creations!

Scrabble Tile Pendant - Halloween Sparkly Spider

Harvest or Halloween Pumpkin Charm & Dangle Necklace S1

Halloween Clay Witch Novelty Necklace

Shop with us!
You'll be boo-tiful!

~ FleaPirates ~
~ MythRoans-Dream-Compass ~
~ Annimae ~

Happy Halloween Shopping

Some folks go all out for Halloween. You might have a reason to put together a basket of Halloween goodies for someone. Wrap a couple of miniatures of your choice of adult beverage or a pint along with this nice shiny black glass Bone Island Bob Shot Glass to give as a gift for the host.

CLICK HERE to see the listing.

How about some wall decorations like these two witches.....

CLICK HERE to see the listing.

Halloween wouldn't be the same without candles or eery light...

CLICK HERE to see the listing

Halloween is a fun time for kids and those who celebrate. There are literally 100's of items to select at Online Auction

Visit my store at Supergrannys Treasures

CLICK HERE to Read Supergrannys Musings

Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!!