People are Funny and the Clothing Crisis

People are so funny. *shakin head* and let me tell you why. Because I have SO many girls, you know we have clothes falling from the sky. It's not like the girls only get new clothes on their birthdays. That's not good enough for my immediate and extended family. They get stuff all through out the year. And even more importantly, when it's one babies birthday, EVERYBODY getting something. And since we don't live in the Bill Gates mansion or on Oprah's estate, the girls closets fill up rather quickly. So much so, that I have to separate their clothing by seasons. Yupe, sure do. Winter clothes must be packed away during the spring and summer. Summer clothes must be packed away during the fall and winter. Why? Cuz if I didn't, sh*t would be falling out all over the place. Not to mention I wouldn't be able to find jack.

Since I try and stay on top of their clothing and keeping it organized. I also try and make sure the 5 year old don't have clothes in her closet from when she was 2 years old. *chuckle* So as you can probably guess, I'm always changing clothes out of their closets, ESPECIALLY when they get new sh*t. And since we at home all day long, alot of their clothing still has tags on it when I have to give it away or they may have only worn an outfit once, for a few hours.

Anyway, when I was living in Cali I used donate all their clothing since the lady who was my regular hair stylist was also the "first lady" and her organization had a FREE clothing shop for ANYONE who lived in the area and was in dire need. So that worked out great because I had so much stuff, they said they were able to open an ENTIRE children's section. (yall know I had too much sh*t). And that's in addition to sh*t I gave away to family who may have needed it or some friends. So ain't like I was new to giving away some sh*t.

Well since I've moved, I don't know who I could personally give the girls old items too. I don't do the salvation army or try to sell them, cuz that's too much work. Besides I like to give sh*t to folks who I KNOW can really use it. And I like to do it for free. So that's why I stay away from more "corporate" types of places. Well finally I thought I had some folks to give some clothes too, cuz my computer room is starting to clutter cuz the girls old clothes are trickling out of their closets and I know when the spring gets here, I'ma really be in trouble.

Since I'm a member of Cafe Mom, I found one of my mom groups that's for "clothing swap, sell, give-a-way" so I posted that I have girls clothing for anyone who's interested. Well I had that posting up for about a month with no contact. Then last week a lady in virginia emailed and asked about me having sizes 3 thru 9 months. Well may baby is 5 months, so I really didn't have alot of those sizes. I replied to the lady and told her I had size 12 months and up. Then she got back to me and said that she would take whatever she could get. And then explained that she's raising 2 almost teen daughters AND that now she has her 3 month old granddaughter, with SSI being her only source of income.

Of course upon reading her last email, I immediately went and rechecked Asaria's closet and found 2 brand new packs of baby tee's, size 3-6 months, that she can't fit. I found 3 brand new pairs of shoes (that are also too small) and some other stuff. In addition to the bigger sizes I was giving away. I replied to the lady and told her what I had and how I found some smaller sizes too. I also told her I was GIVING her those items. And that we only needed to figure what to do about the shipping, seeing as I'm in Washington and she's in Virginia and that shipping ain't cheap. And yall may not know, but if the lady emailed back and said she's not sure if she can pay, or whatever - I woulda just paid for the shipping and sent her the clothes. Cuz sh*t, I know SSI don't pay nothing.

But this is the sh*t that just boggles me. After I emailed her the last email asking about shipping and how we would work out her getting those items - that lady NEVER replied. And it's not like she hasn't been on Cafe Mom, cuz we a member of the same group. Then it dawned on me, that since I even suggested her contributing to the shipping costs, all of a sudden she's not interested in the clothing I have. And I immediately thought, ol' girl must have thought I was some sort of "shipping scammer". You know, cash your shipping money order and then NEVER send you the items. But how else was she going to get the clothing? Drive over and pick it up?

That's what made me post, people are funny. I'm now starting to truly see how folks block their own blessings. *shakin head* And I really feel for the lady. I wouldn't want to be raising my granddaughter, plus my 2 other children on SSI. Sh*t. But oh well. Maybe there's some other sole in dire straights.

*Hugs* Mama Alyson