Hey *Rockstar* I'm Trying to Understand all your Vested Time? Say 5 to what 40 Hours a Week?

[fairdeal*lb]

Most all you do a great job on general questions, and Yes we should all Thank you. Is it really all charity to the community with nothing in it for you, nothing at all? I believe in giving back too but Wow Hats Off..   

[mr_lincoln]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Here's my story (not unique, by any means):  On Mondays, I babysit a 3 year old great granddaughter.  Her mom teaches in the wintertime and tutors in the summer.  This is a child who you don't want to turn your back on.  My family room, where my desk top is, is also an illegal day care center.  So I sit where I have a 360 degree view of the room and post here while looking out of the corners of every eye in my head to make sure this sweetheart doesn't get into any trouble (with a Rhodesian ridgeback aiding and abetting).  Sometimes my daughter, who also babysits two grandsons, ages nearly 2 and nearly 4, will bring them to visit.  I remain in my swivel office chair, keeping one eye on the mayhem and the other, sometimes, on the Boards.

That's my story.  

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You are to be commended @soh.maryl  ... maybe a second screen and security cameras would let you keep faced one direction but still be able to be vigilant LOL!

We have 2 granddaughters ... one just turned 4 and the other will be 1 later this year.  When my wife and I watch them I pretty much take the 4 year old ... we have a BLAST!  She likes to pop the bobbles on our bubble wrap ... I get my hair and nails done at her "hair salon" ... I give her rides in the trailer of our garden tractor ... 

[soh.maryl]

Aren't they the most fun of anything? I had three children, have 8 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great great grandchild with another due in August.

These three Monday visitors are the ones I see most.  It has taken awhile for them to get to the place where they can enjoy each other.  Now the oldest one often tries to think of games or things they can do together.

Latest thing was three firefighter helmets obtained for 25 cents each at a church rummage sale.  Eli directs the younger two that they are going to fight fires and the younger ones put on their helmets and careen around my house putting out fires in every room.  The dog sometimes follows, but then discovers there's not going to be food at the end of the firefighting session, so retires to the family room awaiting the next adventure.  There are also the shoppin' cart races, with each youngster having his own shopping cart.  The youngest one, Ben, sometimes gets tired of the race and zigs off to build with blocks or offer brunch with play food.  

The interesting thing here is that there is no TV or I-pad or anything electronic unless you count the multiple trash trucks, some of which make noise and light up.  My total investment in this business is probably less than one hundred bucks, but they have millions of dollars worth of fun here.  

[1786davycrockett]

Here's a little poem that might help -- actually it's a song written by Glen Campbell, although I actually first heard it sung on an old Kingston Trio album, probably in the '70s:

Let me be a little kinder
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me
Let me praise a little more

Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me

Let me be a little braver
When temptation bids me waver
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker
Let me think more of my neighbor
And a little less of me

Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery
Let me serve a little better
Those that I am strivin' for

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me

You can probably Google the lyrics to hear the Glen Campbell version, as well.

[evry1nositswindy]

Great thread!  I come here mostly at night when i should be sleeping.  I also spend the day listing and flip to the community as a break.  It is truly a thankless job sometimes.  

@divwido I love your posts!  Usually short, sarcastic, and to the point.  You don't put up with **bleep**...you can't fight stupid!  I am a very blunt person too and it doesn't always come across as nice.  Oh well!  I think we would get along well IRL!

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

When I started selling back in 2003, just a few things at that time and then a long break,  I received some good advice from welcoming members of the community.

And some sarcastic answers that made me want to return to help others once I was more knowledgeable.  

I have been a pretty much a full time mentor for the last 6 years.   Selling regularly for the last 10. 

I still learn new things as eBay is always changing.

Another reason I like volunteering is I truly do enjoy helping others, since I can no longer get out and volunteer in my community this helps me feel like I am giving back to others.       

[kensgiftshop]

I watch 5 of my grandkids almost 24/7, 2 to 12 years old.
Can't work out due to health problems.
I like coming here, meeting new people and gives me something to do when I have some free time.

[readabouthorses]

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@the_fancy_fox wrote:

They used to give out listing credits and ebay branded stuff. I still have my red beanie bear with ebay embroidered  across its chest sitting in the shelf above my desk.

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Yep, back when each board had its own eBay Pink and they had the ability to give us $10.00 on our listing fee account or send us nice little gifts. I still have my eBay rollup calculator. I just can't bring myself to put it up for sale! LOL  I also got some eBay pens once when I mentioned how addicted I am to collecting pens.