I tried eBay classifieds where you can post items for free. No "nibbles" from that attempt.

Not particularly. I prefer indoor activities. I never enjoyed camping with my family back in the 60s - bugs, dirt, bright sunshine - not my cup of tea. Once my mother made me go outside because she thought I needed "fresh air", then she locked the door so I couldn't come back in. All I did was stand by the door until she opened it again.

A banana, 4 slices of toasted cheese bread, 8 oz. plain non-fat yogurt, washed down with diet 7-UP.

Looking at my own attitude to my "boys", I'd say they get adequate care - canned and dry food, keep water bowls filled and take to vet once a year (unless there's an obvious problem). I don't say I pamper them, but I certainly don't abuse them. On a scale of one to 10 (1 = total neglect, 10 = totally pampered) I think I'm around 7.

Here some things I found in other cabinets and in the cellar.

Well, I try to be nice (and I admit I don't have much "street smarts"), but "nice" people are seen as folks of which others can take advantage.

The few antique dealers that I've had to the house aren't interested in doing an entire etste sale, they all seem to be "cherry picking" (i.e. only wanting to buy the most valuable items, then leave me with the junk to get rid of) and they won't pay anything. Of course, I am aware that thay have to buy as cheaply as possible to maximize their proffit if they sell. I am really looking for "end collectors" that can pay near the real market value for things, but it seems not many people are collecting as even a few years ago. I have a whole luncheon set (27 pieces) of green Depression glass in excellent condition. My mom paid hundreds of dollars for it in 1975 (imagine that in today's dollars). I've only had 3 offers on it and the best was $60.

I appreciate the suggestions made, but I've been this route already, that's why I'm trying to have garage sales now and then. Unfortunately, I hit the antiques market at a bad time when the economy is on a downswing. People seem to be holding on to their money these days and aren't spending it on trinkets and dustcatchers. That's why antique dealers aren't interested - they aren't selling either. Most garage sale attendees that announce what they are seeking want precious metals, military items and sports memoraiblia - just what I DON'T have!

If any board members saw my posting about the trouble I am having with the emormous house and contents I inhetited, I made a Web site showing some of the nicer items. If anyone is interested or wants to look, here is the address: http://estatesaler.angelfire.com/ I am not trying to sell things on this board, just showing the "tip of the iceberg".

I've noticed more times than not, when I am playing online games, if the other players (or player) get behind or it doesn't seem they are going to win, they just quit playing. To me this shows poor sportsmanship and immature personalities. Can you imagine if the Yankees were plaing the Red Sox and were behind 3 runs in the 7th inning, and they just walked off the field!!! Are people so shallow these days thay they can't stand losing a silly game?

I am not in a hurry to sell this item to my friend. After I'm gone, it will not matter to me, but I am taking into consideration how my friend's daughter treated me a few years ago. I believe it was Christmas (or Thanksgiving) and I had been invited to her house for a holiday dinner. Afterward, my friend have me some plastic storage containers and told me to "help myself" to the leftovers, then she went into another room. I was putting food in the containers when the daugher appeared and asked me what I thought I was doing. I told her and she responded "You can't have any or there won't be enough for me!" and she grabbed away the leftover food, shoved it in the fridge and disappeared. Now I don't know wherther there were mixed signals going on there, or whether I was "set up" for this situation, but I felt embarrassed. When my friend re-appeared a few moment later, she asked if I had enough to take home and I told her what happened. All she said is that she would speak to her daughter about it later, but didn't offer to bring out the leftovers again.

Where did the word "sale" ever come to connotate "bargain"? "Sale" simply meansd an exchange of money for goods or services.

Another advertising ploy is "Come in today and save 30%!" I saved 100% by not shopping!

Do stores think customers are stupid? They oft have this type of sale, but raise the prices (e.g. normally a loaf of bread is $2.49, but during the "sale" it's $3.49) so you are actually paying more. This forces the customer to purchase twice what thay may need since you must get 2 to get the sale price. Sheesh!

What is the procedure for deleting a post?

You can delete the photos and description if you think it's best.

I did take it to the museum at Mystic Seaport (CT) a few years ago where my friend's daughter worked at that time. The curator there was very impressed and said that it was definitely authentic (so many repros about these days), but probably dated later than the main time for scrimshaw production because of the subject matter (which usually entailed a more nautical theme). However, "professional ethics" prevented him from appraising its value, but he would be happy to accept it as a donation to the museum. I stipulated in my will that if neither my frind or her daughter don't want this item it is to be donated to the museum.

I misunderstood this message board's purpose.

His name is Adam. He was one of 3 kittens born to my mother's cat on May 28, 2000, so he will be 14 this week. His brother, Gus, looks a lot like him.

I don't have family. Only child, parents passed, no hubby or children.

The name engraved IS a coincidence, like mom2bee said. This woman absolutely flipped when she saw her daughter's name on it. She even insisted that we go to a museum 200 miles away and have it appraised which we did a few years ago.

I think trulycrabby and creekland expressed what I was feeling - that she cultivated a seeming friendship just to get this item. We had a good working relationship before I retired, but after my mom died and she came to my house ons a sympathy call, she saw the item and has been after me ever since to sell it to her. She is aware that I have bequeathed it to her and in the event she pre-deceases me, it will go to her daughter (because her daughter's name is engraved on it). She has invited me to her house on holidays, but the last 2 times she has called with some excuse why she couldn't entertain on those days. Now this phone call. Seems to me she wants to get it over with and cut me loose.

I did leave it to her in my will, but it appears now that she doesn't want to wait for that.

I received a phone call from a woman I used to work with before I retired. She mentioned that her daughter was having a milestone birthday this year and asked if I would sell her an item I have that is a very rare and valuable antique that she knows I own so she could give it to her daughter as a gift. I told her I really didn't want to sell it, but she responded that she would pay any price I asked. This made me feel awkward. I really don't want to sell it, yet this woman had helped me through some tough times. Added to this is that I know what the value of this object is, but I also know what a manipulator she is. My gut feeling is that once she gets what she's been after me to sell to her for years, she will drop me as a friend. Any advice?