for my birthday.

I bought a Lands End canvas tote bag, medium, solid color (gray), zip top, long handle.

Now I understand why this tote bag is famous. It is the most non-pretentious, practical, high quality product for carrying whatever you want...

It fit into my life in about two minutes. It exceeded my expectations.

It was and wasn't a bargain. It was a bargain at $37 with standard discount. It was a little expensive with tax and shipping added. It was worth it.

I needed more room than my handmade Italian leather bag. It isn't enough interior space in general and it doesn't fit 8 x 11 folders.

I put my leather bag inside my new canvas tote bag.

Most men here here have inexpensive nylon backpacks. Most women have inexpensive purses including designer knock offs and those kind of rigid plastic totes you buy from places like Walmart and Publix. I tried using them but they annoyed me.

My leather bag is beautiful and gender "correct" but not large enough for me like I said and somewhat less than discreet for Florida.

This has been a long time project of mine so I'm satisfied.

I bought myself a new Casio analog, white dial, small Arabic numerals watch.

The battery in my old one died. Yeah, it was right twice a day but I use my watches.

It hasn't worked for six months and I couldn't figure out what battery it took and where to buy it. I put off buying a new one for months now but I like buying watches and my birthday seemed like a good time (sic) to replace it.

My classic Casio digital is still going strong. I accidentally hacked it to military time. It was so much effort to squint to read the instructions, press the tiny buttons in sequence, and look back and forth between the watch to cellphone clock to the second, I'm keeping it set to military time.

It will need to be adjusted for eventually if the battery lasts long enough though so who knows.

I bought myself two handmade organic cotton T shirts imported from Peru from Fair Indigo. I found out they have an Amazon storefront.

One was a discontinued color (I'd call it baby blue but they called it Forever Blue, iirc. I got this one for $26. I bought a second one at regular price ($38, iirc). It is undyed. It's a very subtle, beautiful color.

These are technically T shirts but the fabric is heavier than underwear. "Shirts" would be a better description. They have 5% spandex so they never stretch out of shape and never need ironing.

They're too hot for summer but they'll be great for Fall, Spring, and especially Winter.

I plan to buy two or three long sleeve shirts from them in October or November. These shirts are 100% organic cotton.

I don't know how heavy the fabric is or isn't but can't imagine any long sleeve shirts that would be better for me to buy.

I bought myself a nail kit (part for fingernails, part for toenails, part for face, no instructions) in a box that snaps closed.

I bought 12 2 sided nail files along with 2 4 sided buffers, a glass file (interesting, has its own hard plastic slip case, useless-- I'm keeping it). I bought a pair of high quality German (company, not country where made) nail clippers.

I stored 11 of the 2 sided nail files and bought a clear plastic pencil box to put everything else in.

It is like a Hanukkah present if I do say so myself. We children got small, thought gifts each night, and the included some traditional gifts, a dreidel for example, and in my family the gifts were thematic.

The theme was always practical and iirc didn't vary from presents for education, school supplies, pens, erasers, pencils, small pencil sharpeners, paper, etc. But I digress.

Here is my revelation about nail clippers-- the pair that has a slanted edge for toenails manes all the difference in being able to cut your toenails.

I never tried them before now. The ones from my set are meant to last long. I plan to replace them with one matching the quality of my nail clippers.

I'm not too vain to buy myself presents. Who better to do it?

I won't consider anything else I buy a present eg a Christmas present however.

I'm not really feeling very sentimental lately. I'm feeling more practical with the passage of time.

Where are Lands End bags made, is there a label? I know they're a UK firm.

Lightweight rucksacks have also become very popular with commuters and tourists here.

Best bags I've ever bought are from a New York company, ONA
https://onabags.com/
Two leather messenger style bags, and after 25years they look and feel even nicer.

Good nail clippers are something I definitely could use - we have a bunch of the 99cent jobbies all over the house and I'm getting frustrated at the dullness and the way they kind of tear nails i nstead of actually cutting them. Would you mind sharing a link to the ones you bought?

Congrats on all your new treats! (And happy belated birthday!)

Thanks, Lisa!

Here you go...

https://a.co/d/bLAVFyh

My watch was delivered today.

https://a.co/d/4pIdGHb

I love this watch. It doesn't even have a scratch on it-- yet.

I don't know how many I've owned. I can't remember how long I've owned one. I keep them as long as I can and then they get replaced.

I've never been shy about buying myself watches.

Just a quick note, there's a variant of this watch with larger numerals. I think it ruins the dial but each his own.

I bought the double key lock set. A nice one too. $60.

RM totalled his car but he escaped with fractured ribs and lots of pain and difficulty of movement. It's been a busy day.

Anyway, he got back from the hospital and happened to say he should put a double key lock on the back door. I told him I got advice from you guys and am putting one on the front door. He's listening to complain about that door since ever.

I have a handyman!

He's retired and does all the work for the ladies next to door. I settled on a price with him to do my rock gardens. I've pulled weeds for 5 years because the plastic underneath the rocks is mulch. I finally decided I'm letting them grow as high as they want.

Anyway, RM said it's not hard to put a lock in but I can have my handyman do it if I want.

Excuse me, sir. Hard for me and if I can't make it work the door won't close let alone lock.

No, thank you.

My lock is a commercial grade and made for metal and wood doors.

Thank so much to those of you who posted about it.

I'm sorry but having a door anyone can break one pane and stick their arm in is dangerous.

My late grandparents in Tampa taught me all this stuff.

Also, as a morbid aside, don't put iron bars over your windows because people do that, there's a fire, they burn alive, and it happens on a recurring basis in Tampa.

My problem will be solved soon!