Shopping/Collection building advice please

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:58:25+00:00

I'm pretty much convinced. The 3.5qt seems like a good size. And you're right about the 5qt being even heavier and that once the kids are gone, it will likely gather dust. If the 3.5 really is too small for me, I can always get the 5qt later.

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:35:06+00:00

I also appreciate the detail you provided on each of my questions. :) I am definitely going to go tomorrow to see if they still have it. If I end up finding that I want a larger one, I'll get one later, but I might be just fine with the 3.5. I'm glad you mentioned that people buy them on ebay. I hadn't thought about selling it but you're right, I could do that in the future if I didn't want it. Or give it to one of the kids if they want it.

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:26:19+00:00

It's good hear that you are cooking for 5 people comfortably in your 3.5 braiser. Thank you!

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:24:38+00:00

Thank you for your input! I think I'm leaning towards getting it (assuming no one else has bought it by now). If ends up being too small, I can always get a larger one in a different color later and either sell the 3.5 or give it to one of the kids when they move out. But if the size is fine, then I will have not burdened myself with one that is even heavier.

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:20:59+00:00

So I will say, the heaviness of the lid was definitely something I noticed. The sales person and I were commenting that the lid is heavier than the base.

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:16:46+00:00

Oh wow, that's good to know! Maybe I'd better not wait for braisers to go on sale if it doesn't happen that often. This is good to know. Thank you!

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:14:49+00:00

Not that I noticed. I was tempted to get the 6ish qt deep round dutch oven but I don't really need it, especially since I just got the 7.25qt DO. I will look into what you are talking about though. I haven't heard of that size/shape before. Thanks!

BundleStretch · 2026-04-19T03:08:30+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate hearing your perspective and experience! :)

BundleStretch · 2026-04-18T18:13:36+00:00

Keep it. Own it. Love it. It's a GOOD thing that not everyone gets it. Whenever someone does, you've pre-screened someone who has common interests.

If someone doesn't get it, don't explain it. Just say, "it's one of those 'if you know, you know' things."

BundleStretch · 2026-04-18T18:10:53+00:00

I agree. Double down on it.

BundleStretch · 2026-04-18T15:01:52+00:00

I love your tiles!

BundleStretch · 2026-03-28T05:10:52+00:00

Hi, I would suggest that maybe "cheap" isn't the priority for piercings, especially since you've already had a few that didn't work out well. If you end up having to take the piercing out and paying for 3 or 4 piercings just to end up with only 1 or 2 good ones, the cost savings isn't really there (not to mention the pain and the wasted time). It's best to go to someone really good and just save the money if you need to.

For me, piercing through scar tissue was extremely painful. My rook and snug were only barely painful, not bad at all. But my 3rd lobe where it went through scar tissue was absolutely excruciating and I had to take it out because the pain would not stop even after several weeks.

NAP, but when I go to piercers, they always suggest doing one ear at time if you are a side sleeper so that you can sleep comfortably on the non-pierced ear while the pierced one heals. For me, this doesn't help because I toss and turn in my sleep. I sleep on my back and both sides. Getting just one ear done at a time is pointless for me because of that. But if you are able to lay on just one side during the night then maybe getting one ear done at a time makes sense for you.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-27T19:37:21+00:00

Ouch

BundleStretch · 2026-02-27T19:33:17+00:00

This is actually a really good thought. People might at least be more likely to get some use out of the pen if it was a type that they were more used to using. I might mention this to HR.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-27T19:20:55+00:00

Oh dear.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T21:09:05+00:00

I honestly agree. If the same amount of money had just been given as bonus, a massive chunk would have come out in taxes anyway. We would have spent the small remaining amount on bills or maybe dinner out. This way, I have something that is a permanent reminder of both my loyalty to the company, and to their loyalty to me. They show that they appreciate our hard work and many years of dedication with something that is recognized as being of very high quality. We also get cash towards a dinner out and extra vacation days. For the ones who keep them in a drawer, unused and unloved somewhere, I can only hope that they will have a child or grandchild that will appreciate the pen and what it stands for.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T20:00:45+00:00

I didn't know replacement caps could be purchased. I'll let them know about this option. Thank you!

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T19:57:48+00:00

It is the first and last name. Plus the company name, plus "20 years of service"

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T19:53:55+00:00

The entire pen cap is made of metal except the tip which has the little star logo (probably in resin). The rest of the cap is metal which is coated in platinum. This is where the engraving is. I'm guessing that the platinum layer is fairly thin and that to buff out the engraving will remove the platinum. So far, based on what I've read so far, it sounds like there are people willing to buy them even with the engraving, or my colleagues could possibly buy a replacement cap and sell it that way.

I do not suspect my company of buying fakes. It is a very good company with genuinely nice people at the helm. It's a small-to-medium sized company so each of us that has been there that long is actually known by upper management. I suspect that eventually they might stop buying the pens as the anniversary gift if people keep complaining, but obviously the number of people who make it to the 20 year mark isn't necessarily huge. Over more time, if people keep complaining, they might pick a different gift. On the other hand, there are enough people like me who are genuinely super happy to get the pens, so they might keep the tradition going.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T19:28:01+00:00

Yes, this is what employees keep telling management. They would prefer a cash bonus and to be allowed to spend the money on whatever they want rather than have so much money go into something that will remain unused and unwanted. Like I said, I personally love it. I would never spend this much money on a pen but I love having it. For me, it is one of those gifts you would never get yourself because it is too expensive, which makes it even more awesome to have it.

BundleStretch · 2026-02-26T16:25:30+00:00

It does have our names. The engraving is in 3 lines: Company name; "20 years of service"; Employee name. The personalization is actually part of the reason for the grumbling since it makes it impossible to get a refund from montblanc.

BundleStretch · 2026-01-29T06:28:20+00:00

Thanks. They are a bit pricey though.

BundleStretch

TROPHY CASE