We got so burnt by Detroit products in the early 80s that we vowed we'd never buy another American product again, and we haven't. I feel bad because I am originally from Michigan, but we honestly got such awful cars (some of which I insisted we buy) that we've never looked back, I presently drive a really cute Miata, red convertible, and my husband has a new BMW which gets very good gas mileage. We drove a rental Ford this summer which was OK but not with enough features to make us go back.

I guess I'm a "Lady Realtor" (*snicker*) and I've been having to show after dark far too often since the winter darkness usually begins before people get off work. It's something we have to deal with. What I've been showing is a really nice vacant townhouse to people who find it off Zillow, usually. Not a great scenario. So what do I do? I do not carry concealed and believe that most Realtor scenarios (narrow hallways, stairwells, in and out of rooms) do not lend themselves to be able to protect yourself if you are relying on digging your weapon out of your handbag. I talk to the gate guard after I go in and get the key and turn on the lights. He has my card and knows which unit I'm showing, and usually wanders down there to chit-chat with me because he's bored and I'm friendly. I meet the prospect in the parking lot outside the gate, and take pictures of their ID and license plate and text them to someone who can help me (my husband usually, but if he's at work, my teammate) and they know the address where I am. I am required to call them in 30 minutes after sending. This meeting in the parking lot also gives me a chance to feel the person out. Most have been women and many have brought their kids. Nobody has balked at letting me check their ID. If I know I'm meeting a man, I bring my 17yo son. He hates it because it's boring, but too bad for him. I make the prospect walk ahead of me into every room, up the stairs, and never get between me and the door. It's not that difficult in a small condo to wave people ahead and point stuff out from the doorway. After they leave, I lock the door and then go around to turn off lights and text that I'm fine and how the showing went. And I take a few minutes to talk to the gate guard before I drive off. (Bringing snickers bars to the guard has helped our relationship as well, but if someone doesn't rent this place soon, someone is going to start wondering what's going on between us!) And, I'm getting a FirstSign to hold in my hand. Wish I had one a month ago, when I was checking on a vacant home and found the back French doors wide open, but none of these products that I've wanted have been available yet. (I specifically wanted one that called 911, not just one such as the Cuff that merely texts your friends) Here is a link that might be useful: First Sign product

Eld6161 - It's the pits about your fractured foot. I think you should try to wear the boot at least part of the day. Of course, I don't want it toppling you, either, so you have to be the one to weigh the pros and cons of it. My DH was in one for a while, he wore his to bed each night. Desert Steph - You have a sweet puppy and a sweet "Jed." Is he a son, grandson, nephew? Don't feel bad asking him to help out. That's what the younger folks are supposed to do, and I'm sure he takes pleasure in knowing he's being helpful and useful in a very real way. Don't feel bad; you do what you can do. I find myself sad at times because I can't go like a house afire all day long anymore. I can't, and I really don't even want too. I snagged the photo of the bell from the infamous Internet. I think it was from Ruby Lane. I love Mother-of-Pearl everything! AAA - Your bay window plantings are absolutely perfect. I love it. I am so sorry you're having to deal with all these restraints. Is there no one close that could "help out," especially with the linen changes and pushing the vac around? I do love the layout of your apartment. I had an even tinier efficiency apartment when I was stationed at Dover AFB, DE. I loved that place. It had so much storage, a "regular size" bathroom, two large closets and one small one, and a 4x8 kitchen. I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for four in it! I'm happy/Iowa - It sounds as though you were plenty busy. Maybe the lawnmower man just meant "some future, far-off morning." :( For what he's charging he should fix the headlamp, deliver it on time, and then come over every week for the next two years and mow your lawn, for free. Shades - Today was dump run for me and up to Cambridge, 10 miles away but only 5 more from the dump, to get a big sheet of glass for a picture frame...Then sewing my jeans. Aside for the laundry...changing the bed...vacuuming the house...cleaning bathrooms...all the animal doings...gathering the garbage...hand watering...moving the sprinkler around the yards it has been a rather slow day for me. My Lord in Heaven, woman. It wore me out just reading about your "slow day". This was not a slow day. Take that diamond off, now, put it in a secure container, mark it, and put it in a safe place until you get to the jeweler! They can easily re-tip prongs. What a wonderful gift to have your Grandmother's stones. Mom just gave me her diamond solitaire. I was awe-struck. I am such a "sparkly, glittery, jewelry lover" and she simply is not. Her deceased husband gave her diamond earrings as an engagement gift; she gave them to me several years ago. That blew my socks off. During all these years I was working good jobs with disposable income just for myself, I wanted diamond earrings. I never once thought "Hey; I can buy diamonds for myself." I don't know why I thought a man should give them to me. I was an independent uptown girl in every other way. Now I have them and they are a gift from my Mom! He gave her a pear-shaped diamond, three-fourths carat, as a "friendship" ring. I did protest, but she insisted it would just sit on her dresser; she wasn't going to wear it. Oh man, does it sparkle, "just like a holiday!" LOL I am having it reset, once I decide on the mounting style I want. I know what I want, it's just paying for it! I am frugal, and we do have other "to do" items on the list. I want it set in a "halo" setting, but not with teeny-tiny diamonds making the halo; I want them big enough (but not huge) to show up! I have about 20 ideas to show the jeweler, but I keep coming back to this style. This is a vintage diamond which was reset in 1978 from England. The center stone shown here is 1.5 carat, but I think Mom's .75 stone would show beautifully in a setting like this.

I'm 53. Sudden onset of menopause is the only way to describe it. One day, I could write a calendar for a year, based on my cycle. I was regular- stupid regular- until BAM. No more! Yes. I still have some natural hormones circulating- and I can tell it from PMS feelings. Mostly- I have some (thank god, confirmed benign) lumps on one of my breasts. They used to get big, a bit painful, right before menstruation. They still get tender, I still feel a bit "PMS"- and my husband still sees it. :) It has been 14 months since my last period. But it still happens.