We are in the clear!

It was circulating that consignment sales, stores, thrift shops, Ebay and Craig's list were going to be unable to sell children's items without criminal prosecution.

Needless to say, I was a bit worried about my business!!!

a coalition of sale owners from across the United States have flooded Congress, the House, and the CPSA with phone calls. I personally have made over 20 calls to Washington! It worked!

There was a press release today that states that the new safety law does not require resellers to test c! ! hildren's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

Please click here for the press release:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

At the Upscale WeeSale, the safety and security of our consignors,
shopp! ! ers and their families is a top priority. Therefore we support
the intent and purpose of the Act. Our official policy concerning
children's items will be the following:

A. The Upscale WeeSale will not accept any items that are the subject of a past, present or possible recall.

B. As always, consignors will sign a waiver.

C. All items that are questionable will be removed from the sales floor. Please see the press release for items that are questionable. Check the recalls on all items before bringing them for consignment! http://www.cpsc.gov/

The Upscale WeeSale supports the intent of the HR4040 and looks forward to serving our community. Again - I thank you for supporting The Upscale WeeSale a! ! nd look forward to a great sale in March!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Kim

Maybe there is hope!!!

I have been in touch with the guy that writes my Mysalemanager software for the Upscale WeeSale, John. He obviously has a vested interest since he makes his money on his own consignment sale and the sale of consignment sale software. He found out that the bill was authored by his own senator and called his office.

From John, “The CPSIA bill was authored by Arkansas Democratic senator Mark Pryor. John called his office and actually made it through to a man who actually helped craft the legislation with Pryor. He seemed surprised that the law is being interpreted this way and states that was never their intent - that this law apply "retroactively". He seems very concerned of the "wildfire" that appears to be spreading on this and wanted more info. He is concerned, and he is should have good access to Mark Pryor to let him know what is going on.”

I sure hope they plan on rewriting this law by the time I have my sale in March!!

CPAIA and it's impact on consignment!

There is a new law going into effect on Feb. 10th that could have a huge economic impact on everyone! First, let me say that I am all for raising the safety standards, we all want to keep our children safe! There is nothing more important than to make sure our kids come into contact with safe items!

CPSIA is a law that was passed in August 2008. It is intended to guard against elevated lead levels in children's toys.Triggered by the huge Mattel Toy Recall last year. It appears the law was very hastily put together and rushed through Congress with little thought as to how this law could un-intentionally affect other industries, consignment and the resale industry in particular.

Essentially, this law makes any children’s product that has not been specifically tested for lead levels a "Federally Hazardous Substance" and makes it illegal to sell. The way this law is written, it will also apply "retroactively", which means that after Feb. 10, 2009, selling of any children’s product that has not been specifically tested for lead will be a crime. This affects our seasonal consignment events, consignment stores, thrift stores, goodwill stores, church yard sales, individual yard sales, even private individual transactions. This also affects Wal-Mart, Target, and any store that has inventory catering to children under 12 on their shelves prior to Feb. 10, 2009. Essentially, all items will have to be thrown away because they do not have a certificate of compliance. Those hand me down jeans are now “a federally hazardous substance”. You could send them to a third party testing facility at the cost of around $500.00 to have them tested if you want to resell them.

Can you imagine the impact this will have on our landfills? The landfills will become full of children’s items and according to this law, “federally hazardous substances”. More over, most people are unaware of this new law and the implications of it.

Here is an article that addresses the issue and law: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/mostpop/story.aspx?storyid=96284&provider=top

It will put thousands of small business children’s product manufacturers and many in Rock Hill out of business - hurting our economy further and causing even more loan defaults! Each item for sale will have to go to a third party testing facility at the cost of $500 to thousands of dollars.

I am sure this was not the intention of the law, so immediate action must be made to amend this law. Though this legislation was well-intentioned, it cannot be allowed to stand as written.

Sad news

Well....Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is tomorrow night. We had a great Christmas! It really was a good one with family, it was a little bittersweet though. Unfortunately, on Dec. 22nd, we found out that my Papa has cancer again. He is 90 years old and had lung cancer 8 years ago. He has outlived the 5 years they gave him after the last surgery. We are not sure what the plan of action is yet, but please keep him in your prayers. My grandmother is 87 and they take care of each other. They will probably have to transition into nursing care if he plans on doing any treatment. He has cancer in his lung and in his liver. I know it isn't good. It makes me so sad.
:( My grandfather (Papa) has been my second father. He has been next to or near me all my life. I know I am lucky to still have my Papa. I was blessed with a fantastic grandfather. His picture is next to the definition in the dictionary.

Martie got a new car today! Nice new Toyota Camry. Brooke will inherit her dad's old Toyota Camry. She is getting excited about driving. I am not, I will worry to death! I will just pray

We all know Obama won the election. After it was all said and done, I have to say that I was moved. It was a historic election and I am glad that I got to experience the joy of so many Americans.

Sorry so long since my last post. Crazy holiday time! I am in charge of the New Year's Dinner, so it will be ham, ribs, potato of some sort, broccoli casserole, and salad. Yum!

My diet has come along very well!!! I have lost 6 pounds and lost 10% body fat last month. I am not expecting quite the results this month. I kinda ate what I wanted for a few days. Oh well...it's Christmas!

Tomorrow is the big day!

Make a Godly decision, look at the facts, look at the character of our politicians, make an INFORMED decision. Do your research!

http://riggword.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/obama-give-us-a-king-to-lead-us/

Harpo called again!!!

I got a call from Harpo today! They want to talk to me again on the Dr. Maya Angelou show about my views of the election. She is doing a special show on the election. She wants to know why you are voting for your candidate, how you feel the media has portrayed your candidate, and how you feel as an American during this historic election. I had to email my "bullet" points to the producer. I will be speaking to her tomorrow at 130pm and will be on XM 156 on her show on Wednesday. I don't know when I became an expert on the Republican view on Oprah's XM show. It is amusing to me actually! LOL! I am very honored to be able to speak to Dr. Angelou. She is a fabulous woman and I feel very lucky to be able to talk to her. I just hope I have the quiet grace she eludes!
Here is my email to the producer:

"First, thank you for the opportunity to speak to Dr. Angelou. I so respect her work and reflections on the show. I am honored that I will have the opportunity to speak to such a fine woman with her quiet wisdom and grace.

I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket because I believe his moral values, integrity and policies regarding abortion, Iraq, and the economy closely match my own. I truly believe that McCain will be a great president. He has proven, tested leadership and has served this country with pride and dignity. Having served in the military, he has the respect that is needed as Commander in Chief. We need our government to be split between both parties. America is made up of diversity and our government should reflect that!

I wouldn’t vote for Obama because he hasn’t the experience to lead, yet. While I respect Senator Obama, he has too many questionable acquaintances and I am a believer of where there is smoke, there is fire.
I don’t believe he has real answers when he is asked tough questions. I really do feel like the policies of Obama’s spread the wealth program are not democratic in nature. I do believe all American’s need health care, but I am not sure with the state we are in economically, that raising taxes is the answer. History shows that this is not the right way to fix the economy. I have a cousin who is from the USA and lives in Canada. She hates their healthcare system and it takes weeks to be seen by a doctor. I think this is where we could be heading with the Obama healthcare policy solution.

I believe the media has been extremely one sided to the Obama campaign. The media is made up of very liberal people, so they are self promoting their candidate. Other than Fox News, all the other news outlets have been unfair to the McCain campaign. They completely ignore statements from the Obama campaign that are completely inaccurate, but jump on small things like Gov. Palin’s clothes! It is very upsetting that both candidates aren’t given the same opportunity in the media.
Barbara West, the reporter from Orlando, asked candid tough questions to Senator Biden. Those went unanswered. Senator Biden was rude and condescending. Now that station has been banned because the line of questioning wasn’t pre-approved? I think the American public should have every right to the honest answers to those questions, not pre-fabricated ones. I believe EVERY American would like honest answers. That should be a given in America!

This is a historical election! We have a woman on the Republican ticket and an African American on the democratic ticket. I think that our country is ready for either and what a wonderful day in America that this can happen~!
I am excited that my children are old enough to experience this election. But, they have many questions and some I am embarrassed to admit are not easy ones to answer in regard to what is happening in the background. With this being a historical election, I hope we will be able to look back at it with a positive reflection, for our children’s sake. This election should be won honestly and without question. Whoever wins should be given respect from all!
Unfortunately, I am afraid that we won’t be able to look back at this election as having been conducted with honesty, fairness, and a high moral integrity toward both candidates. WE are one nation under God and we should act like it~! What do we teach the children of our country when the adults cannot conduct themselves and each other with honesty, integrity and respect for each other? What will the history of this election ultimately teach our children?

Thank-you for giving me the opportunity to voice my views!"

USC vs. LSU Bayou tailgate Jambalaya Recipe

I made Emeril's Cajun Jambalaya for the tailgate on Saturday night. We play LSU, so we are doing a Bayou tailgate! Fun!

Here is the recipe!

• 12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
• 4 oz. chicken, diced
• 1 Tble creole seasoning. recipe follows
• 2 Tble. olive oil
• 1/4 c. chopped onion
• 1/4 c. chopped celery
• 1/4 c. chopped green bell pepper
• 2 Tble. chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tea. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tea. hot sauce
• 3/4 cup of rice
• 3 cups chicken STOCK (not broth)
• 5 ounces Andouille sausage sliced
• kosher salt and pepper

Serves 4

In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken, and creole seasoning and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper, and celery (the trinity as it is called in LA) 3 minutes.
Add garlic , tomatoes, bay leaves,Worcestershire and hot sauces.
Stir in rice and slowly add chicken stock.
Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is jus tender, add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning

2 1/2 T. paprika
2 T. salt
2 T. garlic powder
1 T. black pepper
1 T. onion powder
1 T. cayenne pepper
1 T. dried oregano
1 T. dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
yield 2/3 cup



ENJOY and Go Gamecocks!