On the C-List

I have a love-hate relationship with Craigslist. And Freecyle. And Bookoo.

For one, I love perusing for gems like my dresser and getting a deal. I just love a deal, you guys. It's like a drug. I get genuinely giddy when I know I scored something for less than it normally sells for. Like I just pulled one over on someone and came out the winner.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

I love it. It's fuel for my fire. So when I received a text from a friend about Mrs. Meyers soaps going on clearance at Target, I got totally jealous (despite having no less than 5 under my sink) and also replied immediately encouraging her to buy up a crapload. One can never hoard too much soap.

Back to Craigslist. I love the deals. I also love bartering people down. Like this week I bought a carpet steam cleaner (that I've since ammonia cleaned the crap out of) and she was asking $40. I had $40, but totally only offered her $35. She accepted.

I just emailed someone about a bike trailer they have for sale, and while I have the $60 they're charging, my limit for a used one was $50. So I offered $50. Let's hope I don't lose out on it because I'm being stingy. But it's a gamble and I love it.

But the hate part. Over the last week, I've posted two free items on these websites, only to have no-show after no-show of people who swore they were interested! Promised money even though they were free items! Said they'd come by that day!

But never showed. It's like I'm inconveniencing them. Finally, someone came and picked up the mirror (later than she promised, of course) that was matching to my recently refinished dresser. And they have the best stories. One lady had an intruder at her house and that's why she didn't show. Not that I don't believe her, but at the very least, just let me know within reasonable time.

I really feel like giving things away for free makes people crazy. They see the word free and all of a sudden? They have to stake their claim. It's like the freaking Gold Rush over here.

One guy I called back about giving away the mirror (mind you, I list our city name... use Google and find out if that is local to you!) told me that he "could find a use for it" and then proceeded to tell me he lives 50 miles away, round trip. I talked him out of it because that sounded silly for something you obviously don't need or really want!

And the swingset we have in our backyard that came with the house? Also free. Come and get it! Seven people were so excited (before I deleted the listing) and ONE showed up to check it out. She promised to return next week (ugh, the urgency of people!) to come get it. We'll see if that happens.

Unacceptable!

*I will preface this post by explaining that this is my blog and I choose to use it as I please. Today, I choose to complain about unfit parents. There are just some people out there that are not worthy of having their own children. I said it. It's my blog. Oh, and this is my 100th post. Yay?!

Every week, I check a few websites to check in on Baby W's development. I just love knowing what is going on while he is hanging out in my belly. I find it to be an absolute miracle and honor that I can care for a child inside of my body before he is able to sustain life on his own. That's how amazing God is, really.

Anyhow, back to that website. At the bottom of the page, there is a discussion board of women who are pregnant within that exact week. Since I am 24 weeks, I checked the 24-week page/discussion board yesterday and have been irked ever since. I refuse to comment because it will do little to solve the problem. But, since it's been on my mind so much since I read their comments, I had to find an outlet. Hence, the blog post. Also, I refuse to converse with women who cannot seem to formulate grammatically correct sentences or use spell-check. Maybe I am a snob, but that's me. I like grammar and spelling. These things make me happy.

I read the top layer of posts first, of people being apologetic, empathetic, and sympathetic to one woman, Lily.

Finally, I get to Lily's post that caused all this nonsense:

Hey ladies! How is everyone doing? Good I hope! I got a question for u ladies,am I the only one that is still smoking? I feel like the lowest thing on earth cuz I do it,and anyone that seems to see me or find out I do put me down soooo bad! And I really do feel like crap! I tried everything to stop honestly and It would just make me mad at the world knowing I can't have a cigg,I cut down A LOT from how much I used to smoke before,I can say I smoke about 5-6 cigg a day,I know its not an excuse or making anything better but its better then smoking a pack and a half a day! I just feel so depressed and hate myself lately cuz now I'm big and everyone can tell I'm prego and they give me dirty looks or tell me I'm killing my baby or I'm a bad mom,I swear I cry everytime when sumone says stuff like that to me! I just don't know what to do anymore,thank GOD my baby looks healthy and everything seems ok so far I'm so grateful for that,but all this negativity everyone I'm surrounded with is extremely depressing!! And I feel like no one cares for me anymore cuz of my habit! Sorry for posting such a long post ladies! U ladies always seem to make me feel good and confident! Belly rubs to all XoXo

And then you ask yourself, why is this woman allowed to procreate? Some people just shouldn't. Even worse, if you want to read the comments from others in regard to her rant, here are a few:

lily - I'm not officially in week 24 til tomorrow, but I wanted to say that I still drink my big cup of coffee every morning and an occasional caffeinated soda. We all have our things we could do better or differently that would be healthier for our babies, but sometimes it's easier said than done. I commend you for trying to cut back and making an effort. Plus, the fact that you feel badly for smoking shows that you do love your little one! If you really do want to quit, I will tell you coming from someone that has quit smoking, the only way to quit is not to cut back, but to just toss the cigs and QUIT. You will be a miserable b**** for a couple of weeks, but it DOES GET BETTER, I promise! Hang in there and keep giving it your best effort, mama!

Uh, how can she commend her for cutting back? Unacceptable.

Lily-two of my friends are prego too and they both smoke...at least you have cut back they don't seem to have or feel guilty for smoking. My mom smoked too with both my brothers and I...so your not alone...

Great. Tell her everything is okay because others have also made the same mistake. Tell her she isn't alone. Garbage.

Lilly I used to smoke but when I was pg with my first just the smell made me sick. So I can thank him for helping momma quit! lol He is 6 now. Have you tried talking to your doc. I have a cousin that had the same prob and her ob actually gave her something to help. Not sure exactly what it was but Its worth a shot asking your doc. BTW kudos on cutting back and trying. good luck

Kudos to you on cutting back and trying? Really? You thought that was the end of it... oh no.

I cut back on smoking but I didn't quit tristan is soo low he hurts my pelvic bones my doc said get a belly band anyone know where to get a cheap one?

First, the grammar. Woah! That is a prime example of a run-on sentence. Ick. Yet another terrible parent.

I quit smoking the minute I found out I was preggers, and haven't smoked since. Here's the problem, tho. I only smoke when I drink. I'm not drinking now either. I'm scared that when I am able to have drinks again, I'll have the urge to smoke and I'll have to quit all over again! I had a half a beer the other day and the thought went through my head that ' a cigarette would be nice' but of course I didn't smoke. What's gonna stop me when I'm not preggo anymore? Hopefully I can get through it!

Classy group of folks, aren't they? Now, I understand that these discussion boards are there for people to remain anonymous and discuss the latest happenings in their pregnancy with others who are enduring the same types of experiences. I get it. But why must the caliber of people be so terribly shameful? I sure hope these children they are bearing will turn out well enough to make healthy choices for themselves, but with parents like that...

Maybe I'm just being hormonal-- but I don't think so. Pregnant or not, this bothers me.