LOL , Eden . I was thinking the bra discussion may have scared our male posters away . Of course it shouldn't bother David , since he is a physician . Thanks on your good wishes , but at this point my Dr. isn't very much involved . Wow ...I got up with a doosey of a headache ! Am waiting for pain pills to ease it . Our phone company is installing a new underground cable . According to DH , the phone guy told him that it would improve our internet service ... we'll see. The line has arrived at our mailbox area , and is proceeding down the hill today ( if nothing bends or breaks ) . Marie , I hope I didn't sound insensitive to your loss . As I said , I have no problem accepting the death of elderly folk , no matter how close . I am more apt to rejoice if I know they have 'lived a good life ' ( sort of like what EP said ) . I hope my survivers don't grieve too deeply when I pass on . ( BTW , I like the name 'Vashti' . I know from whence it comes . ) RE : Merlot , we believe the 'fruit of the vine ' was unfermented . Now the wine that Paul told Timothy to take ," for his stomach's sake , and his many infirmities " , was surely fermented . Sorry about your DS concerns . It sounds as though he has a very busy , and interesting , life . Good to hear that your DH is on his way home . Thanks for the St. John's Wort link , EP . It is a good one . I have bookmarked it . Mmmmm , I'd like to sample your cotlets ! If you have noticed that I am jumping around with my follow-ups , it's because I am just scrolling back and forth , and not taking notes . I'm afraid I keep missing things I want to respond to . Brrrrr , Cynthia . I hope you donned plenty of warm clothing after your shower , with the indoor temp only mid 50s ! Does the sun help warm your house ? It does ours . We have lots of windows on the sunny sides . LOL , shouldn't that be 'Westing wabbit near the gwapes " ? Chelone , if your bean recipe is anything like the famous green beans and onion rings recipe , I'll pass . YUK ! MY sis loves it . She can have my part ... lol . Deanne , I'm happy you have found a nice dress . I hope I didn't offend you with my post . I just don't have that much interest in clothing . I guess I'm fortunate that I live in a country atmosphere . I don't want you all thinking everyone around here are 'country bumpkins ' . There are lots of 'high-toned ' ladies . I'm just not one of them , and I am never involved in activities that require fancy dresses . I do think the dress you found sounds lovely , and I do want to see a pic of you wearing it . LOL , on the 'dope slap ' for Nolon . He hasn't a clue ! Congrats , Martie , on your pic posting success . You are a fast learner . Guess I need to get out and do some walking . I don't want to go up the road while the work crew is there , so will walk around and around our yard . That in it'sself can cover a bit of territory . Marian

My experience with home exercise equipment was not that great. We bought a fairly expensive treadmill several years ago and after about three years it developed all sorts of problems. I called the company and was told it would cost $130 for someone to come look at it and that because that model was no longer made, it was unlikely they'd even have the right parts to fix it. Since then, I was talking to an equipment repairman at the gym I've since joined and he said this is pretty typical of what happens with home equipment. Gym memberships have become very reasonably priced in the last few years. There you have a variety of equipment to use, classes you can choose, and personal trainers available if needed. Most gyms in my area are $30 per month. When I first considered joining, I was afraid it would be filled with young, fit people and I'd be intimidated. That didn't turn out to be the case at all. There are all ages at my gym, including lots of elderly people who only recently began to exercise. I've made new friends there and can constantly change my routine to avoid boredom and focus on specific results I want. To me, the gym is a much better value than buying equipment and dealing with repairs. My treadmill, due to its short lifespan, cost me $500 per year compared to $360 per year for the gym and I have many more exercise options than just walking. It's also nice to not have to deal with bulky equipment taking up space in my home. I realize there may be some areas where there is no gym available within a reasonable drive, but if you have one I would recommend looking into that rather than buying your own machine.

I don't think it has anything to do with being religious why he molested those girls-I think he is just a child molester and I worry about his own daughter(s). It's funny how some people on here are clinging on to that aspect. One out of all those children had a chance of being one, or some kind of mental illness anyway, IMO. Being from the Bible Belt I have known PLENTY of very religious people and other than being very strong on their beliefs, none I have heard of has molested children. Some of their children, when older, have rebelled and become wild, etc. but not child molesters. Child molesters come from all walks of life! A guy I went to high school with went to prison about 20 years ago because of molesting his daughter-guess what?? He wasn't religious! What happened to him? He had wonderful educated parents and siblings (his sister was and is still a very good friend of mine) who was SHOCKED this happened. Made us all sick when it came out. He got out after 10 years-I believe once a child molester-always a child molester-they are sick in the head forever. Just my thoughts. edited to add: Until after reading the above article, I didn't even know what religion the Duggars believed. I have never known anyone who practiced that one in particular-sounds way out there-but I would not lump all Fundamentalist religions in with that one. There are a lot of Baptists-Assembly of God etc. in my area who are considered Fundamentalist Christian and I don't think it's fair to say they are anything like the Duggar's. As a matter of fact, all the Baptist and AofG I know, aren't close-minded about sex-maybe they were at one time-like most religions and people in general, on the whole use to be years ago-but not so much anymore.

I love the idea of a beautiful pen.. IF he is one who has held on to the art of writing. I also like the idea of a piece of artwork but it's so tricky-- must be the right artist, the right subject, the right price, etc. A friend once gave me a sculpture and I loved the gesture but now 20 yr later, it's difficult to find a place for it in my home-- but i can't bear to hide it away. I love the idea of a meaningful photo from his time with the charity-- if one exists. A personal inscription or quote on the matte or frame would be most special. A favorite first edition-- or one that in some way reflects the charity is a nice idea also. Are there lifetime memberships to a nearby museum.. perhaps a favorite in NYC? Oops. Nevermind. Way out of budget range! I also like the idea of a tree.. if he is in a home he'll stay in for life. Of course you could do the same at a park or similar. We put in a garden at our local library in honor of a beloved neighbor/educator.