Diane, what we did with my dad and the tape recorder was not really easy to get started because he didn't understand what we wanted to know. But once we did get him started about old San Bernardino, he'd say something like 'the old park at Urbita Springs' and we'd just answer 'no, what was that?' and he'd be off and running. We got some amazing stories, like when the parks dept put up some immense concrete picnic tables with benches attached, at a little campground at Devore. Then the rains came, and they picked up those benches and hurtled them down, all the way across San Bernardino to the Santa Ana River, about 15 miles away! Anyone ever doubt the force of water? Yikes. It's a shame that you don't have anyone nearby who could try doing the same thing with your relatives. I know that if I'd tried getting any of mine to write stuff down in a book, it wouldn't have happened. All of our stories are verbal. Only the very old journals from the 1850s were written and preserved. Here's a little story from one of them that you might appreciate. This notation of the ocean crossing that shows the sort of observation they wrote down. It seems that there was a large and very whiny lady aboard with her son, and she was constantly complaining and asking "Sonny, get Mama this". Or "get Mama that". After a long confinement in pretty close quarters on a fairly small sailing ship, you can imagine the rest of the passengers were heartily sick of it. Then one day they ran into a bit of weather and some sizable swells. Apparently the ship lurched and Mama went flying backwards on the deck with her voluminous skirts up over her head. She wasn't hurt at all, but she screeched like a wet hen, and the other passengers couldn't help themselves. It was unforgivably rude of them, and particularly for that day and age, but they were tired of the trip and tired of her, and it was funny. They simply lost control and laughed. Somehow I doubt if she spoke to any of them for the rest of the voyage. Pat

I hope so, xedos. This was definitely a first-world issue, no question, but ouch. We had many issues with the cabinet designer. But back in 2003 when the kitchen was planned there were basically 2 high end built in options -- SZ and Viking. Also Monogram. My cabinet dimensions were standard for both at the time. Cannot fault the fit on this really. Instructions said a 25" cabinet would allow it to fit flush. But having seen the design of the frame, which is about 36-1/4 or so to cover the cut out, I don't see how that would work.What's interesting is that the Miele door is much slimmer than the SZ. It doesn't protrude as much. And having the grill hidden on the bottom makes a difference in the look -- at least for me. It's very neat. I spoke to the dealer about the water filter. When the time comes, I spend $60 on a bypass. End of story. We have a very good water filter on our well pump so it's not needed on the fridge.

I think the deal with the sweetened drinks is it's just so easy to drink a lot of them, especially if you're using them to quench thirst. Here's a quote from a book I worked on (I'm an editor) a few years ago: "The major mechanism linking soft drink consumption to weight gain and obesity risk is a lack of compensation. . . People do not eat less because they have had a Coke with their meal. In fact, compensation for calories ingested in liquid form is much poorer than that for calories ingested in solid form." (There are some cites to scientific articles that I haven't included.) He summarizes that over the past 20 years, people in the U.S. have added about 100 calories per day to their diets, on average, from drinking sugared drinks. When you take into account that some people drink a lot more and others don't drink any, you can see why some people can get really fat from this if they also eat a full complement of meals along with the soda. Shee's 5 or 6 cans per day = ~800-1,000 (empty) calories. That's about half of the total calories needed to maintain weight.

I think there is a fine line between living the life you have vs. living the life you want. If you are financially stable, then you can afford to live the life you have. If you are struggling, then you aspire to live the life you want. And, isn't that what it's all about? Trying to elevate yourself to the next level? And, if you're already there, you can then reap your rewards. I am friends with people in all socio-economic positions. Sure, the people who have money may tend to live with excess. But I don't hold that against them. In fact, life is short, enjoy yourself. If that means collecting art, animal heads and a museum-like surroundings, so be it. On the other hand, if you grow your own vegetables, compost and go jogging then plop your feet on the coffee table, that's great, too. I once had a client who was wealthy beyond belief. She had priceless art work, traveled the world and had a hutch in her dining room that cost more than my car. But she lost her son to cancer at 16. Did that money help her? No. So if she wants to surround herself with *stuff* then so be it. I also have friends who are designers. I would be so disappointed if I went to their homes and they didn't design to impress. I pick up a lot of decorating tips from them -- for free! Then again, if somebody dropped by my house unexpectedly on a work day, I'd be mortified. With 2 home businesses, this house always look like it exploded and we haven't gotten around to putting everything back. But then, I would apologize for the paint cans, paper, cabinet doors, drill, whatever else was on the island, dining room table or floors and explain what project I was working on and then try to say something witty like "did you know Lillian Vernon started her company from her dining room"? I try to get it all cleaned up by the time my kids get off the bus, so I can get their snacks ready and clear off the island where we do homework together. We definately live the life we have!! However, if Augie Busch the third was my neighbor, I wouldn't care what anybody thought of my decorating. And, my husband would be in heaven!