Kris and Betsy Smith http://www.resalequeen.com This is the keyword feed for Naperville. The Resale Queen is Betsy Smith a reseller and junker wise beyond her years. She is a mother of two with hard working nerd husband. She can tell you nearly anything you need to know about resale or finding that item that you desire the most. en-us Palegroove Studios 2004-2010 No Croncast, Kris, Betsy, Comedy, Parenting, Funny, Palegroove, Croncast, eBay, Goodwill This is the keyword feed for Naperville. The Resale Queen is Betsy Smith a reseller and junker wise beyond her years. She is a mother of two with hard working nerd husband. She can tell you nearly anything you need to know about resale or finding that item that you desire the most. She likes it thrifty! This is the keyword feed for Naperville. The Resale Queen is Betsy Smith a reseller and junker wise beyond her years. She is a mother of two with hard working nerd husband. She can tell you nearly anything you need to know about resale or finding that item that you desire the most. She likes it thrifty! http://www.resalequeen.com/images/croncast_itunes.jpg http://www.resalequeen.com This is the keyword feed for Naperville. The Resale Queen is Betsy Smith a reseller and junker wise beyond her years. She is a mother of two with hard working nerd husband. She can tell you nearly anything you need to know about resale or finding that item that you desire the most. She likes it thrifty! Betsy Smith - Resale Queen info@palegroove.com http://www.resalequeen.com Palegroove http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/mswB4l9S0naaiM/Off-Topic---Betsy-Stand-up-Rehearsal_Comedy-Shrine_Naperville.php Podcasts Resale Queen - Stand-up Rehearsal
Length: 5:45

This is a recording of Betsy's final rehearsal for her first open mic stand-up.

It's as close as you will get to hearing what Betsy delivered last night at the Comedy Shrine in Naperville.

I'm told that she killed.

Congrats, Baby!


Tags: Comedy Shrine Naperville Betsy Smith stand-up ]]> Resale Queen - Stand-up Rehearsal
Length: 5:45

This is a recording of Betsy's final rehearsal for her first open mic stand-up.

It's as close as you will get to hearing what Betsy delivered last night at the Comedy Shrine in Naperville.

I'm told that she killed.

Congrats, Baby!


Tags: Comedy Shrine Naperville Betsy Smith stand-up ]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:25:17 -0400 30:00 tag:resalequeen.com,653 Resale Queen - Stand-up RehearsalLength: 5:45This is a recording of Betsy's final rehearsal for her first open mic stand-up. It's as close as you will get to hearing what Betsy delivered last night at the Comedy Shrine in Naperville.I'm told that she killed.Congrats, Baby! no Comedy Shrine, Naperville, Betsy Smith, stand-up, http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/1mY6VRTjtWXs6v/Karma-As-Co-pilot_Bumbo-Seat_Peg-Perego.php Podcasts
I have been collecting baby crap for a woman who is broke and didn't even have the cash for a car seat.  She works at a retirement home full time for seven dollars an hour and has a 2 month old girl. 

Two weeks ago a friend of my mothers-Pat-who works at the same retirement home called and asked me to collect stuff for her, she had gone in with her coworkers and raised $20.

All they wanted was a car seat to keep the baby safe and free up mom to go to the grocery store alone with the baby.  I took this as a challenge.

My 2 year old had a 1 year old highly rated car seat she was to big for, so I cheated a little and passed that along.  I asked did she have a bouncer, swing ya know all that junk the rest of America takes for granted. 

No,  Pat said she has nothing.  She works all the time and her mother watches her daughter.  She financially supports her mom, herself and her daughter on 7 bucks an hour. 

So Karma and I went shopping. 

Saturday in mid- May is prime sale season.  On this particular day there were 29 subdivision garage sales, each sale having 11-110 sale houses.

I started at 7:30.  Now one of the problems with starting early is that people are reluctant to negotiate prices with the first person on their blacktop, they figure someone else will stop and happily pay $35 for their exersaucer complete with last month's rice cereal splatterings.

By 8 I had not had much luck, so I started telling this chick's story.  I told mommy after mommy "can you imagine having no network of relatives and friends to help you get the basic things you need- is there any way you can come down on prices?"

The mommies invariably looked around and thought about all the requirements to mommydom on their driveway and recalled how they really hadn't bought a lot of it.   Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie HooHoo binged at Babies R Us in their honor.

They also remarked- no car seat?  How is that possible?

To most people around here, putting your child in anything less than a Britax car seat is a breach of the parental contract.

Soon my car was full, I got a nearly new stroller, cool swing with the mobil attached, bath seat, exersaucer and a vibrating bouncy.

The mother who received it all was so thrilled so didn't even speak- then she hugged me.  I told her it wasn't me I told her about all the women I had met that day who had dug through their stuff and given me things for her.  I told her everybody has been there- being broke is hard being broke with children is living in a constant state of panic that lots of women know. 

Giving someone else the baby junk that you loved is one of the ways women show their love and care for one another.

I told Pat the only other thing I could think of that wasn't really a requirement was a Bumbo seat- which is a very cool invention and the newest mommy must have, though I said it's kind of new and I have never seen one at Goodwill before.

I walked into Goodwill this morning and there she was perfectly pink and $1.99- a Bumbo seat.

I am still on the lookout for a high chair and baby girl clothes, but tomorrow is Saturday and Karma is my co-pilot.


Tags: Bumbo Seat Peg Perego Britax Karma Goodwill Naperville garage sales ]]>
I have been collecting baby crap for a woman who is broke and didn't even have the cash for a car seat.  She works at a retirement home full time for seven dollars an hour and has a 2 month old girl. 

Two weeks ago a friend of my mothers-Pat-who works at the same retirement home called and asked me to collect stuff for her, she had gone in with her coworkers and raised $20.

All they wanted was a car seat to keep the baby safe and free up mom to go to the grocery store alone with the baby.  I took this as a challenge.

My 2 year old had a 1 year old highly rated car seat she was to big for, so I cheated a little and passed that along.  I asked did she have a bouncer, swing ya know all that junk the rest of America takes for granted. 

No,  Pat said she has nothing.  She works all the time and her mother watches her daughter.  She financially supports her mom, herself and her daughter on 7 bucks an hour. 

So Karma and I went shopping. 

Saturday in mid- May is prime sale season.  On this particular day there were 29 subdivision garage sales, each sale having 11-110 sale houses.

I started at 7:30.  Now one of the problems with starting early is that people are reluctant to negotiate prices with the first person on their blacktop, they figure someone else will stop and happily pay $35 for their exersaucer complete with last month's rice cereal splatterings.

By 8 I had not had much luck, so I started telling this chick's story.  I told mommy after mommy "can you imagine having no network of relatives and friends to help you get the basic things you need- is there any way you can come down on prices?"

The mommies invariably looked around and thought about all the requirements to mommydom on their driveway and recalled how they really hadn't bought a lot of it.   Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie HooHoo binged at Babies R Us in their honor.

They also remarked- no car seat?  How is that possible?

To most people around here, putting your child in anything less than a Britax car seat is a breach of the parental contract.

Soon my car was full, I got a nearly new stroller, cool swing with the mobil attached, bath seat, exersaucer and a vibrating bouncy.

The mother who received it all was so thrilled so didn't even speak- then she hugged me.  I told her it wasn't me I told her about all the women I had met that day who had dug through their stuff and given me things for her.  I told her everybody has been there- being broke is hard being broke with children is living in a constant state of panic that lots of women know. 

Giving someone else the baby junk that you loved is one of the ways women show their love and care for one another.

I told Pat the only other thing I could think of that wasn't really a requirement was a Bumbo seat- which is a very cool invention and the newest mommy must have, though I said it's kind of new and I have never seen one at Goodwill before.

I walked into Goodwill this morning and there she was perfectly pink and $1.99- a Bumbo seat.

I am still on the lookout for a high chair and baby girl clothes, but tomorrow is Saturday and Karma is my co-pilot.


Tags: Bumbo Seat Peg Perego Britax Karma Goodwill Naperville garage sales ]]> Thu, 31 May 2007 13:29:56 -0400 tag:resalequeen.com,63 Yesterday's post about the universe using Goodwill and garage sales to offer it's wares came true yet again.I have been collecting baby crap for a woman who is broke and didn't even have the cash for a car seat.  She works at a retirement home full time for seven dollars an hour and has a 2 month old girl.  Two no Bumbo Seat, Peg Perego, Britax, Karma, Goodwill http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/0c74s8YE1ibdFc/Police-Auction-tomorrow_Peg-Perego-Stroller_Medela-Breast-Pump.php Podcasts Bugaboo stroller left in the rain chained to a parking meter or a breast pump left in a public restroom.  Will keep you posted.

Tags: Peg Perego Stroller Medela Breast Pump Bugaboo Stroller ]]>Bugaboo stroller left in the rain chained to a parking meter or a breast pump left in a public restroom.  Will keep you posted.

Tags: Peg Perego Stroller Medela Breast Pump Bugaboo Stroller ]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:55:55 -0400 tag:resalequeen.com,61 Am trekking to the city of Naperville police auction in the morning- will be looking for Bugaboo stroller left in the rain chained to a parking meter or a breast pump left in a public restroom.  Will keep you posted. no Peg Perego Stroller, Medela Breast Pump, Bugaboo Stroller, , http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/08HpflUfUsoVgS/ChildServ__.php Podcasts
The kids that reside there typically have been in the system for years, many have been through a lot of foster homes and they just need a soft place to land with firm structure.  Melissa is the group home manager and strict loving mommy type chick.  A lot of the staff has been there for years, which is crazy since social work is measured in dog years 1=7.

There are also 2 other homes, one in Naperville and the other in Downers Grove.  The Naperville home houses 6 girls, it is supposed to be an emergency group home for kids new to the system or for those have lost their last placement suddenly- however it is not unusual that the girls stay there for quite a while.  The Downers Grove is a long term facility for girls as well.

The staff work hard to hustle up a good Christmas for the kids.  Years ago local corporations would give, but that just hasn't happened the last few years. 

I'm sure living in the group home sucks- even though it is a nice place.  I'm sure the group home kids feel excluded from the rest of the high school kids.  They don't have cool clothes, cars, nice houses or parents like the rest of the kids do.  They also are not adorable little 7 year olds that are fun to buy Christmas toys for, so they get overlooked in the whole charitable gift thing.  I just thought that we could give them a really great Christmas- cool gifts any teenager would be thrilled to get.

I was trying to think of a good similar gift for the girls- email me your ideas for just a wow present- Maggie is 18 months so a spatula wows her I'm thinking at 18 years that's not going to do.

We are going to accept cash to either buy the kids gift certificates so they can get some clothes they would like or  specific gifts from the list.

Other cool ideas- gift cert. to area pizza restaraunts, pots and pans (the house pots and pans are like 15 years old and flaking that black stuff which just cant be good), bedding- like bed in a bag (twin) that a teenage boy would like- or whatever else you guys can think of.

  I chose to give the Lisle kids ipods because it was a totally  superfluous status thing- the type of nonnecessary object they never get.  We will get their names engraved on the ipods and put some music on each one specific for the kid.  The staff can take them home and download more music for them- I know someone had emailed with that concern.

One of the group home workers is sending me the kids Christmas lists and I will put them up.

The kids get about 400 or 500 a year for clothes- if you can imagine clothing a teenager shoes, coat and all for that.  So our big drive in getting donations is for the mall or store gift certificates- let them go on a little shopping spree.

We want to give stuff to the girls as well, we will have to see where this all shakes out- hopefully we can hook them all up with some necessities and some fun stuff.

Thanks for listening and all your support. 
You guys rock
betsy




Tags: ]]>
The kids that reside there typically have been in the system for years, many have been through a lot of foster homes and they just need a soft place to land with firm structure.  Melissa is the group home manager and strict loving mommy type chick.  A lot of the staff has been there for years, which is crazy since social work is measured in dog years 1=7.

There are also 2 other homes, one in Naperville and the other in Downers Grove.  The Naperville home houses 6 girls, it is supposed to be an emergency group home for kids new to the system or for those have lost their last placement suddenly- however it is not unusual that the girls stay there for quite a while.  The Downers Grove is a long term facility for girls as well.

The staff work hard to hustle up a good Christmas for the kids.  Years ago local corporations would give, but that just hasn't happened the last few years. 

I'm sure living in the group home sucks- even though it is a nice place.  I'm sure the group home kids feel excluded from the rest of the high school kids.  They don't have cool clothes, cars, nice houses or parents like the rest of the kids do.  They also are not adorable little 7 year olds that are fun to buy Christmas toys for, so they get overlooked in the whole charitable gift thing.  I just thought that we could give them a really great Christmas- cool gifts any teenager would be thrilled to get.

I was trying to think of a good similar gift for the girls- email me your ideas for just a wow present- Maggie is 18 months so a spatula wows her I'm thinking at 18 years that's not going to do.

We are going to accept cash to either buy the kids gift certificates so they can get some clothes they would like or  specific gifts from the list.

Other cool ideas- gift cert. to area pizza restaraunts, pots and pans (the house pots and pans are like 15 years old and flaking that black stuff which just cant be good), bedding- like bed in a bag (twin) that a teenage boy would like- or whatever else you guys can think of.

  I chose to give the Lisle kids ipods because it was a totally  superfluous status thing- the type of nonnecessary object they never get.  We will get their names engraved on the ipods and put some music on each one specific for the kid.  The staff can take them home and download more music for them- I know someone had emailed with that concern.

One of the group home workers is sending me the kids Christmas lists and I will put them up.

The kids get about 400 or 500 a year for clothes- if you can imagine clothing a teenager shoes, coat and all for that.  So our big drive in getting donations is for the mall or store gift certificates- let them go on a little shopping spree.

We want to give stuff to the girls as well, we will have to see where this all shakes out- hopefully we can hook them all up with some necessities and some fun stuff.

Thanks for listening and all your support. 
You guys rock
betsy




Tags: ]]> Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:15:17 -0500 tag:resalequeen.com,30 ChildServ is a group home for boys in Lisle, IL. It is a long term placement so typically the kids are there for around 2 years, some longer. The kids are usually 14-18- high school age. The staff is really dedicated to the well being of the kids and they love them tremendously even though as a result of the trauma they have been through these no , , , , http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/RzNvIKUEx5T79h/Garage-Sale-Etiquette_naperville-garage-sales_garage-sale-etiquette.php Podcasts
There aren't too many occasions in life when people come to your house to hand you money.

OK so your garage sale ad says 9-2, and I was there at 6:30 but the early bird catches the.... and I've got cash.

Don't try to make me feel like I should be honored to set foot on your blacktop.  I have a college education- I just choose to dumpster dive- I could totally go get a job tomorrow.  OK so I would be hawking rental upgrades at Enterprise- but I'm not a total loser.


Tags: naperville garage sales garage sale etiquette resale passion your driveway ]]>
There aren't too many occasions in life when people come to your house to hand you money.

OK so your garage sale ad says 9-2, and I was there at 6:30 but the early bird catches the.... and I've got cash.

Don't try to make me feel like I should be honored to set foot on your blacktop.  I have a college education- I just choose to dumpster dive- I could totally go get a job tomorrow.  OK so I would be hawking rental upgrades at Enterprise- but I'm not a total loser.


Tags: naperville garage sales garage sale etiquette resale passion your driveway ]]> Tue, 07 Nov 2006 06:35:12 -0500 tag:resalequeen.com,28 Now when I am walking up your driveway, you should welcome me with open arms.There aren't too many occasions in life when people come to your house to hand you money.OK so your garage sale ad says 9-2, and I was there at 6:30 but the early bird catches the.... and I've got cash.Don't try to make me feel like I should be honored to no naperville garage sales, garage sale etiquette, resale passion, your driveway, http://www.resalequeen.com/rss/143PrRhxCVQ9yI/Hunting-Good-Will_Vintage-Cabbage-Patch-Lot_Cabbage-Patch.php Podcasts
If you watched the Atlanta Olympics you will remember the cheesy back stories about starving Eastern block mommies who sent their buxom baby off to shot put boarding school so she could have a shot at the good life.

Picture Chicago 2008, the cheesy camera fog parts and reveals the doors of Goodwill.  It's 8:50 and the athletes are taking their positions, climbing out of all manner of hoopty and limping to the starting gate.

There's the Pall Mall Paul who talks through a hole in his throat but can jog like a pro when he spies anything that plugs in and was mad after 1989.

There's Grandma Jean who pretends to be checking everything over with her bifocals, but is actually switching price tags.

There are the religous chicks who always come in a herd and can never seem to satitate their thirst for ankle length denim skirts.

And then there is me.  And just like them something happens to me once I get inside those doors. 

I feel a rush of adrenaline and once my hands hit the handle of the cart I am off like Jacki Joyner's press ons.

This adrenaline has some unfortunate side effects.  I get a little violent.  People can see this and it works for me because when they see me coming they do seem to step aside.

It's not my fault that some people can't pick up on that and if they are standing in my path they are risking their lives.

Take yesterday, I was checking out after a disapointing run through the store, then I saw the Russian mobster stock man putting a bunch of Cabbage Patches up on the toy shelf. (Goodwill hires a lot of reformed types, including those whose reform was state mandated and done in an institution.  This guy speaks no English, is about 63 and has a posse of friends that come in and walk with him around the store as he does his job.  They surround him when he is approached by a customer and they all wear their pants so high their belt doubles as support for their sagging old man boobies.)

Anyway, I gotta get there and grab the dolls, the baby needs a new Britax you see.

It's not my fault she was standing in my way.  Perhaps my cart did burst her bubble of personal space, but personal space bubbles are burst as soon as you roll into Goodwill.  You have to leave manners at the door.  This chick didn't realize that and was truly offended that I rolled past her quickly.

She had the nerve to do that exasperated exhale and eye roll thing.

I can deal with a lot.  I'm actually a very laid back person.  But I can't stand the huff and roll.

I turned around, baby Maggie under one arm old Cabbies under the other.  And screamed- I didn't mean to scream- but the store went quiet and the store is never quiet.  Even the old mobster stopped to watch.

"Chill the fuck out,"

That's what I said.

Then she said the other thing that mad me instantly want to stomp on her head.

"Why don't you."

So I said what any responsible suburban Naperville mommy
would say,

"Shut the fuck up bitch."

As the adrenaline flowed to my limbs I realized.  If I hadn't been raised better I would probably be in jail.

So I had to leave, not right away of course I can't look like I am running out- what if today I see her again- I can't let her think I am weak.

Blogging is good therapy I am realizing.  Once your issues are out there in black and white, it's hard to deny you are a nut case.

So see the drama NBC is missing, screw Big Brother how about Hunting Good Will.


Tags: Vintage Cabbage Patch Lot Cabbage Patch ]]>
If you watched the Atlanta Olympics you will remember the cheesy back stories about starving Eastern block mommies who sent their buxom baby off to shot put boarding school so she could have a shot at the good life.

Picture Chicago 2008, the cheesy camera fog parts and reveals the doors of Goodwill.  It's 8:50 and the athletes are taking their positions, climbing out of all manner of hoopty and limping to the starting gate.

There's the Pall Mall Paul who talks through a hole in his throat but can jog like a pro when he spies anything that plugs in and was mad after 1989.

There's Grandma Jean who pretends to be checking everything over with her bifocals, but is actually switching price tags.

There are the religous chicks who always come in a herd and can never seem to satitate their thirst for ankle length denim skirts.

And then there is me.  And just like them something happens to me once I get inside those doors. 

I feel a rush of adrenaline and once my hands hit the handle of the cart I am off like Jacki Joyner's press ons.

This adrenaline has some unfortunate side effects.  I get a little violent.  People can see this and it works for me because when they see me coming they do seem to step aside.

It's not my fault that some people can't pick up on that and if they are standing in my path they are risking their lives.

Take yesterday, I was checking out after a disapointing run through the store, then I saw the Russian mobster stock man putting a bunch of Cabbage Patches up on the toy shelf. (Goodwill hires a lot of reformed types, including those whose reform was state mandated and done in an institution.  This guy speaks no English, is about 63 and has a posse of friends that come in and walk with him around the store as he does his job.  They surround him when he is approached by a customer and they all wear their pants so high their belt doubles as support for their sagging old man boobies.)

Anyway, I gotta get there and grab the dolls, the baby needs a new Britax you see.

It's not my fault she was standing in my way.  Perhaps my cart did burst her bubble of personal space, but personal space bubbles are burst as soon as you roll into Goodwill.  You have to leave manners at the door.  This chick didn't realize that and was truly offended that I rolled past her quickly.

She had the nerve to do that exasperated exhale and eye roll thing.

I can deal with a lot.  I'm actually a very laid back person.  But I can't stand the huff and roll.

I turned around, baby Maggie under one arm old Cabbies under the other.  And screamed- I didn't mean to scream- but the store went quiet and the store is never quiet.  Even the old mobster stopped to watch.

"Chill the fuck out,"

That's what I said.

Then she said the other thing that mad me instantly want to stomp on her head.

"Why don't you."

So I said what any responsible suburban Naperville mommy
would say,

"Shut the fuck up bitch."

As the adrenaline flowed to my limbs I realized.  If I hadn't been raised better I would probably be in jail.

So I had to leave, not right away of course I can't look like I am running out- what if today I see her again- I can't let her think I am weak.

Blogging is good therapy I am realizing.  Once your issues are out there in black and white, it's hard to deny you are a nut case.

So see the drama NBC is missing, screw Big Brother how about Hunting Good Will.


Tags: Vintage Cabbage Patch Lot Cabbage Patch ]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:52:00 -0400 tag:resalequeen.com,19 If the Olympics should come to Chicago as Mayor Daley is hoping, I will contact the city's Olympic committee because I have the perfect idea for a new competitive sport.  If the Olympic Committee gets a better gift bag from Tulsa and we are out of the running, I may contact NBC because my idea would also be a divine reality show.If no Vintage Cabbage Patch Lot, Cabbage Patch, , ,