splurge

10-06-2005, 06:11 PM

Hello everyone, As we all know, October is breast cancer awareness month. Like we need a certain month to be aware of bc lol. We all need to splurge and get something luxurious or frivolous or whatever it is that YOU like. I went and bought 500 thread count sheets for myself and I can't wait to use them. I also bought the new Betty Crocker Cook book that was just put out in support of The Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm not much of a cook but plan to cook more often. So go get that message or pedicure or bottle of wine and enjoy. I would love to hear what you treat yourselves to. We really need to have a chat about something other than doctors and treatment and diagnosis once in a while. Take care Sally

Montana · 10-06-2005, 09:16 PM

After finishing chemo, I started getting my nails done every two weeks. I didn't have any hair, so having beautiful nails took the emphasis off the bald head and baseball caps. Now that I've had my first haircut, I'm still getting my nails done. It just makes be feel better about my overall appearance. Nails are my splurge.....

athena453 · 10-06-2005, 09:26 PM

I've gone hog wild with the credit cards since diagnosed! I guess you could say I believe in retail therapy. Regardless, I will spend October trying not to spend!

StephN · 10-06-2005, 09:45 PM

This is a good idea.
Most of you do not know what I do for fun and a little profit. I import, or buy direct from small workshops, amber and silver jewelry. I have a great time playing in my work area downstairs with my "finds and purchases."
Today I am in the throes of getting my displays ready for a show this weekend that the local bead society is sponsoring. I share the booth with my friend who brings in all kinds of lovely sterling beads and findings from Bali. We make a great pair!
Maybe you have all heard the phrase "I can get it for you wholesale." I really can! For me too ... LOL!

My hubby was joking with my Dad this weekend that "I had made my first million" - in inventory!

So - whatever floats your boat.

RhondaH · 10-07-2005, 03:11 AM

AWESOME idea...I'll have to think on that

Rhonda Hoffman

Esther · 10-07-2005, 07:32 AM

For me my splurges have been in lifestyle. No more "someday", it's today! Scuba diving in Grand Cayman, tree gliding in Jamaica, skiing in Colorado, it's all now.

We also bought a new motorhome, something we had been putting off, to travel in with our 3 pugs.

I keep my nails short now because we took up rock climbing once a week, but that's a trade off I can live with.

I'm so happy to have a full head of hair that I get it professionally highlighted and styled once a month. I've experimented with red, brown, and blondish highlights, with hmmm....mixed results in some cases, but it's been fun.

Kim in CA · 10-07-2005, 09:00 AM

My splurges have been indulging my inner child! For years I have always wanted to compete in some form of equine sport. I have had and loved horses for most of my life, but never competed. This year( I just turned 50) I took up endurance riding. My husband bought me a horse trailer w/living quarters in Dec. and now I can go to rides and camp with my horse and still enjoy the comforts of a hot shower and a comfy place to sleep. We had always talked about buying the trailer when my husband retired, but he wanted me to enjoy it now, and I have been!

He has been so supportive of my dreams and my passion for horses. I spend more time out in the barn with the horses than I do in the house some days, but I love every aspect of it. From mucking the manure to trimming their hooves (took a class up in Oregon this past March) to just watching them eat!

Last weekend I went to a ride and BBQ at Ridgewood Ranch, the home of Seabiscuit and got to take a tour of the grounds. Next week I am going to a horsemanship clinic to soak up some more horse knowledge!

I know some people think I'm a little crazy,( after my first endurance ride I could hardly walk for the next 3 days) but I love anything that has to do with horses and I read somewhere that every hour spent in the saddle adds and hour to your life! There must be something to it cause I've been fighting this disease for almost 9 years now, been stage IV for the last 4.

Happy Trails, Kim in CA

jjfromcanada · 10-07-2005, 09:17 AM

I have facials and pedicures. My esthetician is terrific and she was very helpful with makeup tips when I had no hair. Actually I got over the hair loss, but never over my eyebrow and eyelash losses. I still go every 6 weeks tho she says my skin was better when I was having chemo!

And of course I buy very good, very dark and expensive chocolate. It tasted so lousy on chemo.

Sandy H · 10-07-2005, 06:05 PM

Well,well, such a great idea. Looks like mine is oil painting classes and I love it. Just started last month. Yes, I do get my nails done every 3 weeks as I am such a vain person. Don't have to spend much on my hair so do it on my nails. Esther, I didn't know you had pugs!! I love pugs. My son's girlfriend had one, named Bella, she got killed at 7 months. I was her grammie!! Everyone loved her. She was beautiful and we all loved her so much. Never thought I could love a dog like that. Her Mommy will be getting another in Dec. and my son will get one and we will share them so they will never be left alone. Do you have pictures of them you can post?? Would love to see them. hugs, Sandy

10-07-2005, 06:25 PM

I LIKE THE IDEA OF A BIG SPLURGE-- LIKE A NEW jAQUAR xj6 DARK GREEN.
tHEN MY PRACTICAL SIDE TAKES OVER AND WILL PROBABLY END UP DOING ONE OF MY ROOMS OVER IN MY HOUSE-- THE BOTTLE OF WINE SOUNDS GOOD !! WHATEVER ANYONE DOES -- MAKE IT FUN !! MY BIRTHDAY IS tUES, SO IF I FEEL LIKE DOING SOMETHING WILD AND CRAZY, i JUST MAY GO TO FOXWOODS CASINO IN CT. EITHER SOLO OR WITH A FRIEND AND JUST PLAY THOSE GREAT LITTLE SLOT MACHINES UNTIL I FALL OF MY STOOL !! WHAT DO YOU THINK ??
WILD AND CRAZY GIRL FROM MASS.. ( WE ARE A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT FUN !!)

Berta · 10-07-2005, 08:30 PM

I think I've been spurlging since I finished chemo. I bought a good bicycle and have been riding with my husband. Next week, we're travelling to Myrtle Beech and spending the week on the beech and on the bikes. We've also been camping several times and generally just taking more time to do whatever we want. I definitely use all of my vacation time now.

michele u · 10-07-2005, 10:55 PM

ok, I have many, but won't tell all!! I've been shopping alotttt after i realized, hey,i might be around longer then i thought. When i buy sweater, say, i've gotten over thinking--is this the last sweater i will buy?: I would say my biggest lately splurge is my new poodle/bichon cross puppy. Tinkerbell is her name of course.I'm a real Tinkerbell fan. She is so joyful to take of. How can you be in a bad mood when you see her face everymorning. I think there is a picture of her on the posts.

10-08-2005, 03:51 AM

Well, I too splurged at the hairdresser, I have been accompaning my daughter for the last few years, sporting my own trendy wigs, so at last I had hair to do something with, cost a bomb, and low and behold I didn't really like it, so my girlfriend the gent's barber, fixed if for me for nothing, I had to laugh when I told her I went to the hairdresser she said, in a weeping voice, "your are seeing somone else" meaning like an affair, so she has won me over, I just want to keep it this time, I don't want to go for a fourth. I also collect porcelin dolls, I have a formal lounge which has been referred to as the dolly room for years now, it is chokers, I am easy to buy a present for, I asked my other half Ron what he thought people think when they walk in this room, I was quite surprised by his reply, he said, you had a deprived childhood, never even occured to me that was a possibility, but when I thought about it, he was right. Still reverts back to BC though, I was shopping with my sister in law, looking at dolls of course, and I said I don't like the ones with boobs, she very discreatly asked if it was because I had the mastectomy, I said no, I didn't even think of that, I just think some of them look weird, she just said OH! so you see, it is hard. I have also taken to making Bonsais,buying more indoor plants and dressing up the interior of my large fish tank, and I just love OP shopping, I have so many single chairs it is a sore point with my family. I am not NED and been doing this for so long, since 1998, in and out of NED, it is always in the back of my mind, what is the use, why bother, but for some reason I feel like a big cloud has shifted off me and I am starting to enjoy things again, even feel cured, 8 years is a long time to keep putting things on hold, and I don't look at all my expensive perfumes anymore, I always smell good, even in my daggy clothes cleaning the bathroom, the old saying, use it or loose it, don't keep it for best, everyday is best, thousands of unsuspecting individuals don't know that today is there last day, there are too many tragedies happening, so enjoy the moment.

Love & Hugs Lyn

Amy · 10-08-2005, 08:08 AM

Well said Lynn! Being practical by nature (or is it nurture??), I've always had to make sure that what ever I wanted to buy or do "made sense". Now, it makes more sense than ever!!! We deserve to enjoy the niceties that life provides and I've found that so many of those niceties cost nothing....a nice hot bath in lavender epsom salts.....a walk on a beautiful day....using the good dishes and (not stress about it)....fresh cut flowers from my garden.....hearing my kids laugh and giggle......being grateful for a moment of complete peace within. Indulging in those things bring more joy to my heart than any other indulgence.....okay, creme brulee is close behind!!
Oh, and one other thing I did for myself....hired a cleaning lady!!!!

mamacze · 10-08-2005, 08:37 AM

StephN,
Your jewelery sounds wonderful do you have a web site showing it? (I am in the mood for a splurge!)

Love Kim From CT

Becky · 10-08-2005, 01:22 PM

Michelle

I have a bichon-poo too. "Chloe" is almost 4 years old. We have many friends around town who have dogs from the same breeder. You will love and adore your dog. They are sweet and loyal and will love you unconditionally. When I was in the throws of cancer with surgery, then chemo , rads etc (and still on Herceptin), that dog understood. During surgery healing, she would lay by my stomach or feet so she wouldn't touch my chest. During chemo she was just there on the bad days and look at me to make sure I was ok but was totally undemanding. Your tinkerbell will be a joy (and they live a long time - 15-18 years) so I will have Chloe long after my kids move out. My kids are always arguing about who gets to take Chloe and I say - no one. She stays put right here.

But... since Chloe is almost 4 and not a new splurge.... I too have been buying clothes as I lost 35 pounds during treatment (and I am working hard to keep it off) so I really do need the clothes and I am (for once) very near my ideal weight so I like to buy the clothes too. I have been reasonable in the price tags because I need almost everything (since what I purchased previously was spring and summer clothes). But, I did buy a Jones New York Sable colored velvet jacket last weekend. It is beautiful and can be dressed up or down. Even my husband said it is my breast cancer awareness month gift to myself. So that was my one big thing.

Best regards

Becky

Tami · 10-08-2005, 04:42 PM

I am taking Esther's approach - traveling and not waiting for someday to come - going now!!!

In a couple of weeks I am heading to Europe with my sister and a dear friend for 2 weeks - Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Venice and ending in Paris. I'll spend my 45th birthday in Paris. No kids, no husbands and no work! Also will be celebrating my port removal which happened 3 weeks ago - just waiting for the steri strips to fall off. What the heck are they made of anyway???

After 6 months of chemo, 2 months of radiation and 1 year of herceptin, I am getting a break. Hopefully forever but who knows - for now I am NED and running with it.

a bientot -
Tami

Lolly · 10-08-2005, 09:20 PM

I splurge on getting my hair done every so often. My husband has always cut my hair, and done a very nice job of it and I always got compliments. But with the gray creeping in I decided it was time for some "special effects". So now I go to a friends home salon. He plays nice, quiet jazz on the sound system and really makes it a special occasion with a scalp massage and extra care on the styling when it's done. I love my hair days!

<3,
Lolly

Sheila · 10-11-2005, 06:30 AM

Lolly
You & I have more in common than the neck nodes...my husband also cuts my hair...he incorporated a hair salon in our basement, complete with shampoo bowl, etc....I love getting my hair washed by someone else! When my hair started thinning I let him cut it...one whack & alot of tears & wine removed my 34 inch pony tail....now it is fun to get it styled different each time....
My big splurge was 2 stained glass windows from the 1800's from a church in North Carolina... the shipping was costly but when I saw them it was worth it....can't wait to get them installed....when the light filters through them, it is like a view of heaven on earth.
hugs
Sheila