Was not planning on going on MINT. However, I love a challenge! I may need to rethink MINT!

Try to brave! Humility does not become you!

Marty,

I have had a few moments to think this matter through.

It has become very aparent that you have become extremely attached to this fine heirloom. Out of the kindness of my very giving heart, in an effort to maintain peace and harmony on LCT, and with all sincerity, I hereby decline the Chucky Cheese Tea Service. It would give me great pleasure to know that this treasure remains in your possession.

Fret no more, for whining does not become the Sheik. Consider it my gift to you! There, are we friends now?

Denise: Are you crazy???? I knew he would pout or manipulate....do not do it - he is a sheik - you know what that means....keep the tea set - Joanna (oldest member of harem but still "smart")...come on Denise you're from NYC...use your nyc brain...

Denise

You won fair & square. Don't be scammed by a sheik of all people.

Joanna,

You don't know me well enough! My NYC mind is always going. I never just give in! A reason for everything!

The Sheik has not won by a long shot and has met his match. The best is yet to come. Just follow along!

Betty - you are one smart cookie!!!!

Thank God Denise - i knew I liked you!!!! J - He is probably snoozing now but wait till he roars back - you'll see his true colors -

Denise,
Upon reflection, meanness of spirit does not become me. I, therefore, cannot accept your offer. I may be many things, but ungenerous is not one of them. This tea service, with all of its nicks and cracks, now rightfully belongs to you, and to you it shall be sent. Since the Saint and I have no children, may be that you'll want to pass this - as you say "fine heirloom"-
on to someone who will truly cherish it. If you don't have any kids/grandkids, maybe there's a
nasty neighbor you want to get even with -let them be the next recipient!!
(Whining?) - I don't think so!!!

(and did you believe for one moment about :
"Pierre Guerlain's biography of the French Queen - MAFEET)? I know I got Margo on that one!!!
P.S. if you want to, she's in the market for a bridge!!!Maybe even two!! I can't believe no one
pulled me up short on this one.

Marty

Betty,

You met me. Did I appear to be a pushover? NAH!

Denise, please join us on MINT! I will not suggest that you give up Baltics or anything like that. It is just really priced right, and so it is a time thing, not a money thing! Would love to meet you aboard this cruise, as it seems, to nowhere except for a few ports. I am excited about it, nonetheless!

On Denise's behalf...I'm here to mediate.

Sheik, if you cover the expense for Denise and Alan to go on MINT...she's willing to allow you to keep the collectable Chuckie tea set. She doesn't want any hard feelings....this is a WIN -WIN for both of you! I'm assuming you will accept her generous offer... ;) ;)

Marty,

It appears that now you are trying to unload defective merchandise, disguised as a fine heirloom, on me! I would have thought you would have taken better care of this! To think I was being generous to you because I assumed you treasured this so.

Chucky needs to be loved and nurtured. Therefore, all gestures, on my part, are off. Ship it off to me and I will give it the love and care it's more deserving of! And, I am sure many years from now, my granddaughter will be thrilled to receive it on her wedding day. I will tell her this tale and how a Sheik parted with it, so I may hand it down to her.

Sheik, shame on you for the mistreatment of Chucky!

Dear Betty,
Scammed? Not in my vocabulary, nor in my ability.
For shame! Let us be kind to one another -Sheiks are people too! I believe an abject apopogy is warranted here ------?
Marty

Denise is not a pushover - just a very lovely lady & one that I call friend. I don't want anyone to step on my friends.
I think Marcie's solution is perfect. Denise & Alan would very much enjoy the MINT - gratis, of the Sheik.
Now how do I convince Tom & Marcie & Graywolf that they truly can't BAIL without me?

Ladies, all you beautiful ladies,
My beloved wife - the Saint - keeps asking "why are you typing on that damned computer and laughing your head off?" You just make me laugh, and that's a wonderful thing to say about anyone.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
Marty

My Dear Sheik

I just returned from Egypt. Don't need a lecture on sheikdoms. So Denise & Alan can be expecting their MINT notifications by Friday, I presume.

My dear friends. Thanks for coming to my defense.

I can handle this guy! No doubt about it!

I do love your suggestion about Sheik paying for MINT. That's the LEAST he can do, after we've read about his horrible abuses of the tea service!

Egypt doesn't have any sheikdoms. What a misconception...Only arab countries have sheikdoms, and Egypt is not arab.
P.S. Betty, you presume WRONG

Yes Sheik....we want Denise on MINT - make it happen with your magic - ...Marcie is such a mediator....call Gretchen she'll help - I have her number - J

I love you guys! What a great suggestion!

Sheik, Ngaire is our TA. You can pay her directly. And, we prefer penthouse and butler service on this one!

Denise

If the sheik comes through for you, I might consider flying down to Mexico just for the Margarita Tour! I would come just for the canopy, but I think that is being done through the ship. And I don't need to break anything. I will have the SS Whisper coming up soon after & I need to be healthy for that one.

Remember Denise I have Marty's credit card number!!!!

Try telling that to an Egyptian!

Book 'im Danno (Ngaire)

Those posts "cross posted" I think all coming at the same moment that reads rather funny!!!

And Kimmi already has a butler costume if he gets cheap on you.

What a wonderful dialogue...thread?? post???I am not computer smart but so much fun...would not have happened on other board - J

Ngaire,

I say charge away! Only the best for us. Go all out, as the Sheik would want it that way!

BTW, where is he? People, I think the Sheik has left the building!

And, Joanna, you thought I was going soft? Never!

Marty, before this gets out of hand, I contacted the higher sheik...he relays the following:

°ß¤@³q¹L¤¤¿û¤½¥q§Mª÷§Þ³N³B ¤Æ¾Ç¹êÅç²Õ ÄY®æÀËÅç¡A³q¹LISO9002»{ÃÒ¡I
¡· ·Q­n0-100¥[³t¡A¶i¨B0.9¬í¥H¤W©Î§ó¦h¶Ü¡H
¡· ¤½¥q¦æ¸¹¨®½ø~¨C¤ë¯à¸`¬Ùªo¶O¡B¤ÞÀº­×²z¶O¡A«D±`Åå¤H...

That is his final word! Hey, I'm only the messenger! :)

Marcie,

That's great!

I have a linguist at my side right now and he has deciphered that this translates into -

"Marty is a sore looser/tea service abuser and needs to be held accountable. Therefore, he is to pay whatever the costs for Denise and Alan to sail on MINT."

I love it! Will Betty be flying or riding down to Mexico? Your presumptions about me paying are all wrong! I think that be sending Denise the tea service is enough. If she wants more, let her pay herself.

P.S. Egypt is a much older country than any arab nation - therefore, to call it arabic is a misnomer. They may speak arabic, but they ain't arab...

I see by all the quick responses that you guys are either frothing at the mouth, or just want to put your two cents in.

Ngaire, don't you dare use my credit card!!!
lmao - Marty

I thought he only spoke or thought in French!!!

AND - he is still in the building. Maybe hiding in the kitchen.

Furthermore,
Vous avez besoin de vacances et les lagons turquoises de Polynésie vous tentent ? Nous vous proposons aujourd'hui 2 offres de séjours à un tarif exceptionnelSont compris dans ces offres

What part of this don't you understand?? (Actually, maybe you're suppose to send Denise and Alan on the Paul Gaugain?)

It would be the Big Bird for me - riding across Texas is bad & long enough. Mexico - I would only walk across the bridge or fly over the river. I am nuts, but not that nuts.
But swinging through the forest does sound like a great adventure to me!!!

Or Marty

We could just be having fun at your expense!!!!

Quite impressive Marcie!

Sheik,

It is quite obvious there is rebellion and dissent in the harem. REPENT!

Marcie, you're right - I defer to the Big Guy!!
Marty

See....I tried to tell you he is difficult when upset....that is why he is married to Erika the saint - all I know is he "owes you Denise"....big time - trip, cruise, MINT!!! J

He'll be a shell of his former Sheikdom by the time we get through with him. I told you to wait and see!

I think he owes The Saint BAIL for what she puts up with! Not to mention, MINT for us, for such a trying and taxing chain of events! I'm usually very shy and non-combative. I'm under such duress this evening. He may need to also pay for my hospital stay!

Betty,
I was referring of course, to broom riding - not horseback. And please feel free to snipe away at one of the truly great people of this time. I can take it.

Yes, there does seem to be a certain dissention among the troops! I haven't checked the calendar lately, but is it a full moon tonight? I'll just ride this wave out, and like all things - this too shall pass. Instead of repenting, I'll just continue in the way of truth, justice and light - being always the harbinger of the Big Guy...and not forgetting to smack them hip and thigh for smarty-mouth talk!!!