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Are there advantages to the British system? You bet there are. And if you are youngish and healthy it is a great system. The drawbacks come in when you have chronic problems. But there are serious probelms with the US way too.
Dilu, my dad had a triple heart bypass and valve replacement only 3 years ago at the age of 75. All of this was done at the expense of our NHS system (which dad contributed to during his working life). So even the oldish and unhealthy can benefit too. Granted it's expensive in terms of taxes, and can sometimes seem unfair to those people who need little if any healthcare and still have to pay....but I would rather pay the tax, and I think most people here feel that way. When it does become a problem is when the money is mismanaged, and unfortunately that happens all too often :cry:.
Oh, and I blame the pharmaceutical companies too (and feel qualified to say that since I worked for one!!!). But I won't get started on that....lol 
because I have diabetes...I am discriminated against . NO insurance company will give coverage to a diabetic, no matter how hard I stick to my health management regimine.
I find this SO disturbing.
The first time I travelled to the States I work in a hotel to earn a little money, and met a lovely caring woman who worked in the laundry room there. She told me (after a few weeks of knowing her) that she had a breast lump, and it had been there for about a year. A year! I asked if she had been to see her doctor? She said no, because she didn't have insurance..... 
:mad:
It made me appreciate the system we have in the UK. Judi, I'm speechless 
.
Ohhh nooo, I feel a little rant coming on.... 
These are just my views, formed from my own experience and not intended to upset anyone.... 
....
You can give me the socialized health care we have in the UK any time, over the insurance based system that has now crept into our dental care service. Really, the prices are ridiculous, and I'm yet to be convinced that the end result is any better.
Our healthcare system is by no means perfect - taxes are high to pay for it, waiting times are often overlong, and the service can vary a lot between areas - but everyone has the right to it no matter what their circumstances. I can make an appointment to see a GP on the same day I need to see him/her, and be referred to a hospital the same day if the doctor thinks it's necessary. I can walk into any accident and emergency department and be treated. I don't need to worry about insurance.
Having said all that, I do have private (insurance driven) dental care because in our area there's no choice. And I have on one occasion chosen to use a private medical service because the waiting time on the National Health Service was too long.... so as I said, nothing's perfect!
I bought an old version of Dreamweaver on eBay ages ago and love it. I've learned a bit about html through being able to switch between the code and the visual window in it, and although it seemed complicated at first I soon learned which functions I like most, and tend to stick to those.
I would love to upgrade to the newest version, but as Shelley said, I'd need a lottery win for that!!!!
Vicky, I went to check eBay for you...but it looks complicated doesn't it?
The guidelines are here: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/fundraising.html and from what I can understand, your friend would have to register with Missionfish: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/fundraising.html . I know that Missionfish has been criticised for it's role in all this (because they take a fee from each donation).
I think Bid4Bears would a better option - perhaps you could PM Nancy to ask her about it.
:hug:
On my little ones I sew the side pieces together, neck to nose. I then use stay stitches to position the gusset (these bears are too small for pins!). First I attach the front centre of the gusset to the nose seam of the side pieces, using a few over stitches. Then I do the same at a couple of points along the gusset, attaching it evenly to the side pieces. Then I sew through the U-shape of the gusset, then down each side to the back.
Hope this makes sense!
Hi Vicky,
Yes, eBay changed their rules about Charity auctions a while ago, but I'm not sure how it works unfortunately. I know that you have to declare the charity somehow and go through their procedures to do it. Someone else will hopefully know better than me.
Even though you haven't sold on eBay before, your bears are gorgeous and would likely do well....I'd set a minimum price that I was happy with at the start of the auction, just to be on the safe side though.
If you have regular sales through your site that might the way to go - but if you need a quick sale then the auction sites are probably best. B4B would support you, I'm sure!
Gosh, not much help am I??!!! 
Good Luck!
Wow, what a gorgeous setting! And the bride and groom look fabulous....you must be very proud indeed! :clap:
Life just isn't fair sometimes.... So sorry to read about all your bad news, Jane. I really hope there'll be something to smile about for you in the near future.
Take care :hug:
Glad you've got such a happy customer, Shantell. I was going to say the same as everyone else (hold the bear for a specified time)...hopefully it will lead to repeat purchases, and at the very least will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!
Sigh...I liked Bearpile. But I don't think it's worth it for me to sign up again. Can't help feeling a little let down.... 
I can understand why you gave this cutie a home...so sweet!!!! I want one!
:hug:
Thanks everyone :hug:
I'm almost finished on my second anime bear and have to say....this could get addictive!
Oh my, look at the length of this thread!!! I just got up, and thought I'd check out the forum (as you do) and found this bumper thread. Sorry, but I won't be reading all the posts..... :crackup:
I hope you all had a great time!
Kim, there's lots of good advice on here so I can't really add anything but to say that I also love your bears and can see no reason why they haven't made their reserve recently...except eBay is slow, loads of bears for sale, time of year etc etc. Aleta mentioned the rollercoaster ride, and it certainly is! And Judi's comment about not being defined by eBay is a good one and worth remembering.
Actually this thread has helped me too because I've found that my sales have also taken a down-turn. I had put it down to being away from eBay for a little while earlier in the year....but I can now see there are lots of other reasons too. Many of them out of our control.
So....onwards and upwards!!!! (That's becoming my catch-phrase, lol).
:hug: :hug: :hug:
I liked that magazine too . I'd been wondering for some time what was happening, because the website wasn't being updated and that looked like trouble to me.
Sigh.
Huge but tiny!!! He looks perfect Shelly - though how you managed to create such a teeny little bear AND make him cute too is beyond me!
Hi Jane - I would be hopping mad in your situation too, and I hope you get some joy from eBay and a quick resolution. The idea about going into live help is a good one - at least you might get a few questions answered more quickly that way.
I mentioned on another thread that I did a stupid thing recently by opening a dodgy e-mail (supposedly from someone interested in an item of mine) and then (duh) entering my username and password on the page that came up. The second I clicked OK I realised it would be a scam, and changed my passwrod just in the nick of time. I like to think I'm pretty eBay savvy but this e-mail trick caught me out (late at night and tired).
I could call these people a few choice names but I'd probably get kicked off TT.... :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
You won't believe what happened today...we were driving past a 'dolls house' shop in town and I saw one of those bears in the window!!!! Before making my hubby come to a screeching halt I remembered it was Sunday and the shop would be shut. But I'll definitely go for a little walk past there sometime this week, for a closer look. And maybe pop in and ask.
How much of a coincidence is that??!
I think most people just guess that they are "German" or "British", etc. maybe depending on where they got them.
I think you're right Edie, but how frustrating! There must be a bear with a tag somewhere....surely? Good luck!
PS I keep looking at them - they are just soooo cute!
Hey Carolyn, great to see you back! I just hate being disconnected for any reason - it feels like I've lost touch with the world!!! (Are we addicted or what?!).
Ouch, Tracy.... I really feel for you :hug:. Fortunately I don't suffer from it but did experience it once, and strangely enough that was also after a trip to the dentist's. I was having work on the teeth at the back and had to keep my mouth wide for the longest time - consequently could barely open my mouth for the next week or two. Lots of soup and moaning for that period of time.... :crackup:
I'm sure the chiropractor will help, and having a quiet word with your dentist to explain what happens might help too. Sounds like you need to be able to close your mouth and move your jaw around as much as possible during treatment. And maybe ask if it's ok not to open your jaw to it's widest point?
Finger's crossed you get some relief quickly!
