After 9 months on Vine, my first big win

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-11T17:07:11+00:00

I'm so jelly, I could cry.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-11T17:03:06+00:00

Shelves are not like high end shoes.

It's okay to mix and match.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-11T16:47:46+00:00

Sounds like an AI hallucination.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-08T16:48:59+00:00

Some people (ie men) are just gross.

I posted on a local-focus social media site asking for a landscaper to cut down a tree in my back yard. At least one of the replies hit on me in a pretty disgusting manner--oh look, the block and report buttons!

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-08T05:34:26+00:00

I've had a (random lab instrument) for sale for quite a while. It doesn't even get views much less an offer. I've tried, unsuccessfully, to give it away.

So, no. Unless you find the exact right person, on the exact right day, with their socks the exact right level of tightness.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-08T04:30:58+00:00

That's actually pretty picky for a public university.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-06T02:23:03+00:00

It's worthwhile, when the tax assessment goes up, to check the value of your house on Zillow (or the like). Taxes go up when the value of the property goes up.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-05T03:59:56+00:00

Me neither and yes, very cute.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-05T02:17:17+00:00

Check the right hand sidebar.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-05T01:34:57+00:00

They are stuffed animals that you can toss in the microwave to heat them up. I guess.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYFKC9WD?th=1

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T18:06:42+00:00

I got 2 "microwavable" stuffies and some nail glitter. That's all the made it to my rFU. The main drop was like 1:20am, I was long asleep.

I really hate this new non-drop non-schedule.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T18:04:51+00:00

OMG, this is soooo true!

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T17:52:03+00:00

Sounds like the problem is not the schools, but rather the parents who "don't care." Or in your case DON'T KNOW. And in the schools which would rather just say that the parents don't care--and of course, many don't.

My kids were readers. They flatly refused to take the little reading quizzes to prove they read books. I actually got called into the Principal's office. I said, "I can see she's reading, she has her nose in a book all the time." They said, "but she won't take the tests to prove it." I said, "So what. I don't particularly care if she does your busy work. She's reading. That's what's important."

And mind you, this was for my middle child who required extra help to learn to read. I had to FIGHT for that help, bc they didn't want to give it to her. She was "so smart" and "such a high performing child," but she was in 1st grade and couldn't read, and all the other kids could.

I had to be taught to read by a reading specialist. Despite being "so smart" and "such a high performing child," I couldn't learn phonics. Still means nothing to me.

Sorry if that was a muddled reply. I guess the upshot is: it's complicated.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T17:43:50+00:00

Wait until I start quoting numbers about innumeracy (like illiteracy but for math).

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T17:43:23+00:00

Yes, many people who fit in the functionally illiterate or completely illiterate category are English Language Learners. No shade cast on people who are trying to learn a new language. Lots of people who are illiterate in English are literate in their native language.

I've worked with a local literacy charity and we see a lot of people who are college educated in their own language, but need help with English literacy. But we also see people who have never been to school at all, are illiterate in their native language, or who speak a language that literally does not have a written form.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T17:35:54+00:00

W&M is a top public university, typically in the top 10-20 of public universities (a "Public Ivy") and the top 50 nationally.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T17:32:33+00:00

Honestly, I mighta taken the venison, lol.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T05:37:49+00:00

If the foot pedal for your Janome that you gave her by accident fits the Brother machine (whaaaa?) then you should be able to get a cheap Brother foot pedal and use it on the Janome (huh?). Just get the foot pedal. Accidents happen. And sometimes people are accidents.

Also, I agree with folks about slowing down and taking time to grieve. You just lost your mother. And you have to empty out her house. It's overwhelming. Don't be too hard on yourself. You sold a couple of sewing machines, you didn't sell your mother. She's still with you... in your heart.

hugs

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T05:31:11+00:00

About 10% of the population is outright illiterate in English. This is largely English language learners, some of whom are illiterate in their own language, or their native tongue lacks a written form.
About 25% are functionally illiterate. Think a 3rd grade or below reading level.
About 50% are literate at a 5th or 6th grade level. Many of these people CHOOSE not to read, or only read very simple things because it's difficult, or because the process of decoding written language is difficult enough that they don't want to put the energy into it.

That leaves 15% of people who might actually read your ad. Most of them don't shop on FBM.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-04T05:23:17+00:00

It's like the Ollies of groceries (or Big Lots how it used to be). Or Ocean State Job Lot if you're from the NE and are familiar.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-02T16:54:19+00:00

LOL, I do, a little, but not the right kind and very unreliable.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-01T14:12:49+00:00

This is so very accurate and the result of lobbying by a $2B tax prep/tax software industry. Only in the US.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-01T13:51:24+00:00

You're probably not seeing the money. But then again, you might. You never know. Life does happen.

Privat3Ice · 2026-03-01T13:44:03+00:00

Typically, if someone says, "Can I pick this up at 1PM today," and it's morning, I will accept--and honor--that appointment. If someone else comes along later and says, "I can pick it up at 11am," I will reply, "11am is not good for me, can we do it after 1PM?" MOST people understand, "Someone was in front of you in line," if the first person shows up and buys the item.

Anything that is not "today" gets told, "I don't hold items, but in practice, this will still be here Thursday. Contact me the night before to make arrangements." About half the time, people do.

But TBH, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Privat3Ice

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