It’s not often that I find myself really wanting something with a high price tag. I don’t do designer anything, thank you very much.  My feeling has always been that if somebody’s name is going to be stamped on a product I own, it should be mine.  (Even if it’s only written in magic marker on the back of my underwear. :moon )  And I’d rather have $600 in my $19.95 handbag than in some quadrillionaire’s pocket because s/he designed a pretty purse.

But once in a while…once in a while, something catches my eye. :winkwink

This time, it’s a SodaStream Home Soda Maker.

Seriously…I can make my own carbonated drinks?  Why did no one tell me about this before?! :dropmouth

I love carbonated drinks.  Frankly,  carbonation is the main reason I drink soda at all…& I honestly don’t drink much of it because—diet or regular—I don’t think it’s very good for you. :sick

But this do-it-yourself carbonation trick…it might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. :kitty

That being said, I’m not a fan of new gadgetry.  I like simple, & I like to know how things work before I actually make a gigantic, expensive purchase.

So does anybody have one of these?  Or have you maybe used one…you know, at the house of that friend who always has the latest everything? LOL  (I need one of those, btw. :cuffs )

I have a general idea of how it works.

But does buying the flavored drink mix—also supplied by SodaStream—get expensive?  And what does it taste like…actual soda or the cheap generic stuff?

What about carbonating other drinks you have on hand?  For instance, can I simply carbonate my own iced tea or fruit juices?  (Which to me would be a dream come true! :twirl )  Or will the entire thing explode if I try? :oops

And what about “accessories”?  You know how every new gadget comes with its own size/shape pitchers, etc…. How often will I need to replace the C02 canister?  Or the refillable bottles?

I’m definitely considering one of these, IF it does what I want it to do & isn’t going to end up costing way more on top of the purchase price.  So any opinions or feedback you’ve got, I’d love to hear!

Let me know if I should continue to covet one of these…or toss it back on the nevermind pile. :runrun

Happy Sunday!

And happy day after St. Patrick’s Day!  Are you all awake?  Hung over? Feeling a little…green? :drinkup

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. :rolf   But even if you are a little green around the gills :muahaha   I hope you still have plenty to be thankful for this week.

This week, I think the thing I AM HAPPY about most would be finishing the rough draft of my latest Harlequin Desire.  There were some rough moments, especially in the beginning surrounding my surgery…& then trying to wade through a drug-induced fog to get back into the story :sick …but I absolutely fell in love with Alex & Jessica, & love how it all turned out. :jumping

I AM HAPPY, too, that all I have to do now is go back through the entire thing to proof, polish, & maybe do a bit of revision before I can turn it in to Editor C.  Whoo-hoo! :twirl    Of course, I say “all I have to do” as though it’s no big thing, when that part of the process is actually one of the biggest things.  But fingers crossed it will go smoothly & easily, & by this time next week I’ll be patting myself on the back for my brilliance.

And I AM HAPPY that I actually enjoyed the first episode of ABC’s new drama Missing this week.  I wasn’t sure I would; it didn’t look that great from the previews & I even saw some negative feedback about it on Twitter, but I really like Ashley Judd, so I thought I’d give it a shot.  So glad I did!  It’s like the movie Taken—which you all know I love—but with a female protagonist.  And it definitely kept my interest while I was on the Torture Cycle (which isn’t easy to do :runrun ).  I’m already looking forward to the next episode & have some early predictions about where things are going with the storyline, especially concerning…  Well, no; can’t tell you that or I might ruin it. :winkwink

How about you—what great stuff has been happening in your lives this week?  Or maybe you’re looking forward to something that’s coming up soon.  Whatever it is, we want you to share!  :peekaboo

Now to announce the winner of our latest Free Book Friday giveaway—an early autographed copy of my April Harlequin Desire, ON THE VERGE OF I DO, & a beautiful reversible shamrock pendant—glitter green on one side, silver with “Kiss Me” stamped on the other.  (Much prettier than this picture portrays, actually. :winkwink )

:twirl Donna Wise!!! :twirl

Congratulations, Donna! :thumbsup Please contact me with your mailing information, & I’ll get your prizes out to you as soon as I can!