[xubuntu] Weird behavior from e-mail & browsers - can't open user profile directory...

Not sure if this is Xubuntu problem, e-mail programs problem, or browser problem.

Ruint Xubuntu 14.04 64bit.
Have both Evolution and Thunderbird for e-mail
Use mainly Opera, sometimes Chrome browsers

1) IF I have Opera open, and click on a web link in an e-mail in Evolution, I get the message:
Can't open user profile directory, because you lack sufficient privileges. You might want to contact the administrator of this machine.

Seriously? I'm the only user! I have read/write permissions on everything that I can assign that to!!

But, if I have Opera closed, and click that link or any other, Opera opens, loads my previously open tabs (as I have it set to do that) AND the new link.
BUT, it won't open any further links from Evolution e-mails unless I close Opera again.

2) IF I have Opera open, and click said link in Thunderbird, the system (?) wants to know which browser I want to use. I choose Opera, and off we go. Then, it works just fine, and I can open links all day long.

I have Opera set as my default browser, but Xubuntu can't seem to remember that, as I get asked that way too often.

So, duo what the problem is... I was using Thunderbird for email, but it decided to start disappearing e-mails from the Inbox. I had tried Evolution a while back, and was glad to discover that all the e-mails are there, as I can not find them anywhere related to Tbird. Searched/read web help for over an hour... As an aside, I miss Eudora!!

So, any idea what is causing this problem? It's super frustrating! TIA

DK