Dee can - Please DO NOT trigger a Format. It deletes everything on the drive (including Windows). If you reformat your PC's hard drive, it'll be useless to you and won't start again until a new operating system installation is done. It shouldn't be something you need to do. raven - I disagree with your suggestion about the advisability of having a HDD image. Use of same would seem to be well beyond the ability of most people who visit this forum. To avoid problems and inconvenience, my first suggestion is that everything important should be backed up and, correspondingly, unimportant files needn't be backed up. Many users have nothing but unimportant files. A simple emailer and web surfer likely has nothing that needs to be backed up. My second suggestion is to avoid problems by using proper tools and practices. (Many of the tools and practices I've seen recommended in various threads in this forum I don't agree with) My third suggestion - if a problem is encountered that the user doesn't know how to deal with, find a service provider or someone knowledgeable to help you. For "seasoned citizens", younger family members may be useful for this. Write down on a piece of paper (yes, a piece of paper) the programs you use and the obscure websites you like and have bookmarked. Other than important data files (photos, music, correspondence), EVERYTHING ELSE on your PC can be reinstalled, re-downloaded, and otherwise replaced. If your PC is old, struggling, or otherwise deserving of a proper burial, buy a new one. They're cheaper than ever, and old your old PC may not be worth the cost or effort to resuscitate. Good luck to all. With a first rate antivirus program, all that's left for you to do is to know where you go and know what you open. With that and absent being very unlucky, you won't have any problems.

I don't think I can recall an 'untraditional' Thanksgiving actually. Pretty boring, huh? For as long as I can remember when I was growing up and until my grandparents passed away, we were at my paternal grandmother's house for T'giving. It was a big group with a bunch of aunts, uncles and cousins, all great cooks. Then my maternal grandparents retired and moved back to Alabama from Texas in the 70's so we were at their house or at my parents. We're talking some good, old-fashioned country cooks here (including my DM) who would have totally turned up their noses if someone had brought in something bought at a store. After my mother passed away, T'giving was either at my house or my brother's house (we rotated for a while) and then we pretty much picked it up because we had most of our kids and grandkids to host and my brother and SIL have no kids. But we have to share with the other sets of parents, so we truly mix it up from year to year. A few years ago I realized I was stressing way too much over the menu. We pretty much have the same basic things every year, lol. We all do try something new now and then and I don't do it all myself, as my kids and in-law kids bring dishes so it's really not bad. My guys even do the clean-up most of the time, so how lucky is that!

Hey I was wondering when you were gonna show up. Yes, our street has gotten very popular due to the JCC and such. We bought it to walk to All Saints, where we're very active. I was a member of the gym at the JCC -- you're right it's a great facility! As for the listing on the cul-de-sac, it's side entry and the driveway is there, as is the mailbox, although the street address is "Drive" not "Court". It's not as "secluded" as being the next house down, but it does make a difference to having the kids able to play out on the driveway and such and not feel like they're running into traffic. The backyard is all natural and a gentle slope. I know what you mean about ravine -- I got vertigo just looking out the den window at my SIL's house over in Dunwoody Club Forest. I'd be scared to death to let my kids play in her yard. I'll check with the realtor about including a shot of ours. There's an open house on Sunday; you should go wander through. ;-) Do your inlaws have blue trim on their house? I'm trying to remember which way the street numbers go and which houses haven't turned over lately. The people behind me on the cul-de-sac are the owners of the Blue Fox Salon. The kitchen has tons of storage. I have a 5'x4' walk-in pantry, and the cabinet space doubled with the remodel. (Which was a complete gut and wasn't even finished when we decided to move. The orginal backsplash was spangly red glasstile, known in my house as the "Vegas Whorehouse Backsplash". Had that actually gone on the wall we would still be there, because you think the green isn't neutral, wasn't nobody gonna buy it with that backsplash! LOL!) Unfortunately, within the past couple of weeks 2 other traditionals with finished basements have come on the market in Kingsley; fortunately they're both in the $425K+ range. Based on the comps I think we're priced right ... we'll see.

Rae--I have seen those little triangle "pads" at Sur La Table. I was wondering how they were to use. They look like they would be great. I have the mits which I find bulky and keep going back to my teflon coated cloth mits, which I love. I throw them in the laundry when they get grungy. I don't know where I will keep my mits in the future. Before, I had them hanging from hooks. The hooks were attached to some old crate advertising. However, I am not doing a "country" style kitchen with my reno, so I imagine they will be in a drawer next to the stove. I may even hang them inside my cupboard next to the stove on hooks. I guess I will find out later this week. Cabs arrive from Canada at 10 am tomorrow! whooo hoooo! They will be installed on Friday and the following Monday. Can't wait to see how they turned out.