What made you happy today?

by **ukus** on Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:04 am

Yep we have them in Texas. This one is just new to Katy and I'm kinda happy about it because I used the one in Friendswood all the time and missed it when we moved here.

by **pollywaffle** on Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:59 am

ukus wrote:I made her one a while ago in Christmas colors, with rose buds painted on it and she loved it ... thus her request.

Do you have a photo, Karen? It sounds lovely.

by **SilverMiniCooperS** on Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:21 pm

Yes we have Michaels - they're almost like MickyD's now - one on every corner!!!

by **ukus** on Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:14 pm

pollywaffle wrote:
ukus wrote:I made her one a while ago in Christmas colors, with rose buds painted on it and she loved it ... thus her request.

Do you have a photo, Karen? It sounds lovely.

I never took a photo and of course she has the only one I did ..... but I'll paint some buds on the new blue ones when I have a go, so you'll get the idea.

Actually I've just come back with a bag of goodies ... I was like a kid in a candy store :smt001

by **Persephone** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:21 am

I just received a letter from Icesave... I think I get my money back this week PLUS INTEREST! :smt001

(BEFORE X-MAS!) :smt003

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :smt003

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:44 am

Persephone wrote:I just received a letter from Icesave... I think I get my money back this week PLUS INTEREST!

(BEFORE X-MAS!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Oh, that is GREAT news, P!!! You must be so relieved!!!

by **Caer Ibormeith** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:14 am

What a great way to start the New Year, P! :smt038

by **SilverMiniCooperS** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:56 am

That is great news - just don't reinvest it with Bernard Madoff !!!

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:29 am

SilverMiniCooperS wrote:That is great news - just don't reinvest it with Bernard Madoff !!!

by **Persephone** on Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:44 pm

JuanaLaLoca wrote:
SilverMiniCooperS wrote:That is great news - just don't reinvest it with Bernard Madoff !!!

I try not too! :smt012

The problem/challenge is now: where to put it. I think I have to do some extra, EXTRA research this time (which I already did last time, which worked out in the end, but you never know for sure...), and most likely spread it more. Although.. the European bank promised yesterday to refund and protect money up to 100.000 so I am safe actually, wherever I put it. :smt023

(THEORETICALLY ATLEAST).

by **mr dragon** on Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:54 pm

I'm so glad you finally got a result- as you know P.

Sweetie. Just put it in a very low interest/ safe bank account with a very big, well established, Dutch or European and well known banking operator- like ABN AMRO, for the time being. Ie one directly guarenteed by your own Government and also within the EU- that also has offices that you can go to and has a very big presence on the market, and a safe history. Forget competitive interest rates right now.

Just go for big, boring, and safe.

by **pollywaffle** on Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:15 am

mr dragon wrote:Just go for big, boring, and safe.

Does that apply to other choices in P's life too, Mr D? :smt002

by **Persephone** on Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:27 am

pollywaffle wrote:
mr dragon wrote:Just go for big, boring, and safe.

Does that apply to other choices in P's life too, Mr D?

Big?

Spoiler:

Boring?

Spoiler:

Safe?

Spoiler:

by **mr dragon** on Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:33 pm

pollywaffle wrote:
mr dragon wrote:Just go for big, boring, and safe.

Does that apply to other choices in P's life too, Mr D?

Catty and childish comments aside. The reason why I suggested to P that she go for a very safe and 'boring' interest rate by a big bank (and one that's actually officially in Europe) is because she was playing the markets with the offers that were available before the banking crises happened. Hence why she went for an Icelandic bank with a huge 8 per cent interest rate. She was just trying to make money for her Mum- and it wasn't her fault that this happened because like many people who checked out these deals beforehand and were being careful before investing she initially saw they were (as we now see wrongly) given a triple (AAA) credit rating. They were also 'apparentely' backed up in terms of *protection* by the countries/ banks offering them- which a country like Iceland then reneged on initially when their banking system completely collapsed. As we now know a lot of these high interest rate offers are very unstable at present. If you've got savings and want to keep them safely 'protected' in a bank right now it's better to put them in a very large, established and traditional bank that's not offering well above the board interest rates (because we all now know how some of these banks managed to 'create' these *completely out of line with overall current interest* rate offers). The other reason is that her money is better protected with a large traditional bank within the European Union because the Dutch Government will guarantee it if the bank goes tits up. The larger more traditional banks are also usually a little more circumspect when it comes to their business and lending models. Which therefore means you often also get more 'boring' interest rates. P's Mum almost lost her life savings a few months ago- it's not really a joking matter.

However, in answer to your comment Polly. I have a ginormously huge cock. It's the size of a US Navy submarine, nuclear powered, loaded with seamen, has an unlimited range, and it shoots Polaris missiles.

by **kitchenwitch** on Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:02 pm

mr dragon wrote:However, in answer to your comment Polly. I have a ginormously huge cock. It's the size of a US Navy submarine, nuclear powered, loaded with seamen, has an unlimited range, and it shoots Polaris missiles.

Cool.

by **mr dragon** on Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:57 pm

Owwww, nooo....It's not cold KW. Believe me..... It's red hot. Like a poker.

.....Christ, even I'm having palpitations thinking about the sheer scale of it.....

:smt008

by **kitchenwitch** on Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:43 am

mr dragon wrote:Owwww, nooo....It's not cold KW. Believe me..... It's red hot. Like a poker.

.....Christ, even I'm having palpitations thinking about the sheer scale of it.....

It would drain one's thinking head of blood in a hurry...

by **ukus** on Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:53 pm

I think Polly was just teasing Dragon .... but I'm very happy for you that you have a Polaris in your pants :smt001

Spoiler:

by **SilverMiniCooperS** on Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:02 pm

Speaking of which - where is our Eddie - haven't seen him in ages?

by **kitchenwitch** on Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:16 am

ukus wrote:I think Polly was just teasing Dragon .... but I'm very happy for you that you have a Polaris in your pants

Spoiler:
Poor ol' Eddie only has Carlos the Gopher

It's just goes to show you how little we know about each other. :smt002

It is sad about Eddie though....I hope he isn't frozen solid somewhere.

by **ukus** on Wed Dec 24, 2008 7:11 pm

SilverMiniCooperS wrote:Speaking of which - where is our Eddie - haven't seen him in ages?

I know ... I keep throwing the odd insult out there hoping for a !#@*&!! reply ... but to no avail :smt005

guess this political year, with all of the polls, took it out of him.

I do hope he, Mrs Eddie, the little un's and Carlos have a wonderful Christmas though.

by **ukus** on Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:23 pm

Getting ready for Terry to pop home for a week ... so if ya don't hear from me you'll know why!

by **kitchenwitch** on Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:24 am

ukus wrote:Getting ready for Terry to pop home for a week ... so if ya don't hear from me you'll know why!

Cue the cheesy music....That's great news Karen, what a great Valentine's day present.

by **SilverMiniCooperS** on Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:32 am

Awwwww - you lucky thing. Have loads of fun!!! :smt002

And give him a hug from me!

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:04 pm

Have a wonderful time with your Terry, Karen! :smt049

by **mr dragon** on Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:31 pm

That's great Karen. You must be excited.

And give him a hug from me as well.

*I am joking*

by **Persephone** on Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:28 am

kitchenwitch wrote:
ukus wrote:Getting ready for Terry to pop home for a week ... so if ya don't hear from me you'll know why!

Cue the cheesy music....That's great news Karen, what a great Valentine's day present.

How nice! Totally enjoy it Karen! :smt049

by **Caer Ibormeith** on Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:01 am

ukus wrote:Getting ready for Terry to pop home for a week ... so if ya don't hear from me you'll know why!

Love is in the air.

Have a wonderful time with Terry, Karen.

by **ukus** on Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:55 am

Thank y'all ..... I'm so looking forward to throwing my arms around him. I miss him very much :smt049

He's been teasing me cos he can buy Runner beans, watch Coronation Street (not that he would) and has a Marks and Sparks close by ....... and get a really good Curry !!!!!!!

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:55 pm

I got Vera Bradley fever again. Usually I buy the retired 'colors' (prints) at a discount, but then you have to take your luck to find a style that you want. So I really splurged and bought two full-priced items! I did have a $2 coupon for the Hallmark store (drop in the bucket!). They had two new colors that I just had to have!

I needed some kind of tote to bring to work. I have a lovely (Vera Bradley) lunch bag in their retired Botanica print, but since we moved to this building, they have decided not to provide us with filtered water, so I have also had to bring a big Tupperware cup full of ice water with me each morning. I was bringing them in an old World Wildlife Foundation fairly small tote, but it was dirty so I washed it and it shrunk. So it was more difficult to fit what I needed in it, and I wasn't getting all that much enjoyment out of my Botanica bag. I decided that if I found a suitably-sized Vera Bradley tote or bag, I would feel much better about it.

Ta-da!!!

The Angle Tote in Poppy Fields (far left)! I used it coming back from lunch, and it just cheered me right up! So far it seems to be a perfect size for what I want. Most of their totes are way too big.

Then I just had to have something in the Symphony in Hue color, so I grabbed a Euro Wallet.

Not easy to see the color on that little image, so this is something larger in the same color.

Now, that was some satisfying retail therapy!

by **ukus** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:26 am

What a nice step into Spring with a cheerful tote. I think you picked the best two patterns :smt023

by **kitchenwitch** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:42 am

Y'know, if you can't spoil yourself, then who are you going to spoil?

I like them all, but if I were to chose one for myself I think it would have to be the turquoise.

by **Caer Ibormeith** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:47 am

The Loves Me is pretty cool.

I should get you together with my cousin Linda, Juana. She adores Vera Bradley, but rarely treats herself.

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:41 am

kitchenwitch wrote:Y'know, if you can't spoil yourself, then who are you going to spoil?

Actually, my take on that is, if I don't spoil myself, who will? :smt002

My mother is probably shocked that I buy myself rings, but hey, why shouldn't I have nice jewelry just because I don't have a boyfriend or husband to give it to me? At least you have WB to spoil you once in a while!

Other than that, I also do very well at spoiling my cats!

Caer Ibormeith wrote:I should get you together with my cousin Linda, Juana. She adores Vera Bradley, but rarely treats herself.

I manage to go along for a while, but then the fever just hits me and I must have something new! Usually I manage with the retired colors, though, because they're usually at least 40% off. So this was a real treat.

I was counting (also because I was looking up the retired colors on their website to see what some of my older pieces were called), and I guess I have a dozen pieces. That includes four purses, three wallets, two eyeglass cases, and one each tote, lunch bag, and overnight/weekender bag. I don't think that's too excessive! :smt018

by **mr dragon** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 12:55 pm

I think if you live by yourself you should treat yourself every once in a while, and be self indulgent. I'm the same- though I don't buy handbags :smt002

What made Dragon happy today? He finally managed to get the 'free' download from his James album. Wooohooo. I had to get the net distributer to send me the web page with a pass key. I also went cycling on my mountain bike later this afternoon- always feels good afterwards. Think I'm going to start to get back into a fitness bent, and also get back into doing more swimming regularly. I've been terrible in the last 18 months or so. Not been looking after myself at all...

by **JuanaLaLoca** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:45 pm

mr dragon wrote:I think if you live by yourself you should treat yourself every once in a while, and be self indulgent. I'm the same- though I don't buy handbags

Are you sure that you don't carry a 'murse' when you go to the gay bar with your friend Simon? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge!)

by **mr dragon** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:53 pm

JuanaLaLoca wrote:
mr dragon wrote:I think if you live by yourself you should treat yourself every once in a while, and be self indulgent. I'm the same- though I don't buy handbags

Are you sure that you don't carry a 'murse' when you go to the gay bar with your friend Simon? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge!)

Shhhhh. People will talk :smt002

...I take it a 'murse' is some kind of daft 'man-purse', right? Took me a second or so (I think!) to work that one out...

by **ukus** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 4:49 pm

mr dragon wrote: Think I'm going to start to get back into a fitness bent, and also get back into doing more swimming regularly. I've been terrible in the last 18 months or so. Not been looking after myself at all...

I haven't been looking after myself either, between the parent's long visit, stint in a wheelchair and fussing over Sarah I really need to get back on track .... I'm feeling kinda blah and angry with myself after all of the weight I lost. It isn't like it's crept back :smt010

... it came back in leaps and pounds !!!!

by **mr dragon** on Fri Apr 23, 2010 5:18 pm

Yeah, I looked in the mirror the other day...and thought that's it. Enough already.

I think I've been pushing it for too long. I've been very lucky in my life- I got away with stuff for years and years and years. Even when I was in my early thirties, people still used to mistake me for being four or five years younger- whatever I did. They used to think I was younger than my brother quite often. But after I got past about thirty five I noticed I didn't look so great, or feel so great always, on and off, after pushing the boat out on a regular basis. It slowly escalated from there, bit by bit. I just looked in the mirror the other day, and thought man that's enough. You can't pretend your twenty five any more- when you can do also sorts of shit and still be fine.

Terribly immature of me, I reckon, to think that now. But, y'know...... :smt025